ABSTRACT
To report a case of generalized lichen amyloidosis successfully treated with dupilumab in China. A 70-year-old male patient presented with extensive itchy papules on the trunk and extremities for 23 years. Skin examination revealed diffuse millet-to mung bean-sized hemispherical brown plaques on the trunk, right anterior shank, and extensor aspect of both upper arms, with a hard texture on palpation. No abnormalities were observed in the blood eosinophil count or serum IgE level. Histopathological examination of the skin lesion on the lower limb showed epidermal hyperkeratosis and homogeneous red-stained lumpy materials in the papillary dermis. Immunohistochemical study showed positive staining with Congo red. The pruritus numerical rating scale score was 10 points. The diagnosis of generalized lichen amyloidosis was confirmed. The patient received subcutaneous injection of dupilumab at an initial dose of 600 mg, followed by an every-2-week regimen at a dose of 300 mg. At week 2 after the start of treatment, pruritus was markedly relieved; at week 14, the skin lesions began to subside markedly; at week 18, the skin lesions on the chest and abdomen nearly completely subsided, and lesions on the lower back and limbs markedly regressed. No obvious adverse reactions were observed.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in the treatment of adult prurigo nodularis.Methods:A prospective study was conducted on patients with prurigo nodularis who received the treatment with dupilumab in Peking University People′s Hospital from January 2021 to November 2021. Efficacy was assessed using the Investigator′s Global Assessment (IGA) , Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) at weeks 0, 4 and 16. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and paired t test were used to analyze changes in the above parameters before and after treatment. Results:A total of 17 patients were enrolled in this study, including 12 females and 5 males, aged 48.47 ± 16.26 years. After 16-week treatment with dupilumab, the pruritus NRS score decreased from 8.00 ± 1.50 at baseline to 1.29 ± 0.85 ( t = 6.98, P < 0.001) , the sleeplessness NRS score decreased from 5.18 ± 2.98 at baseline to 0.12 ± 0.49 ( t = 12.55, P < 0.001) , and the DLQI score declined from 13.29 ± 4.03 at baseline to 0.88 ± 0.70 ( t = 16.39, P < 0.001) ; at week 16, the IGA grade of all the 17 patients decreased from 3 - 4 at baseline to 0 - 2, 16 achieved IGA grades 0 - 1, and 12 achieved IGA grade 0. During the treatment, mild conjunctivitis occurred in 2 cases, local injection reaction occurred in 1, and both conditions were improved after short-term symptomatic treatment. Conclusion:Dupilumab is markedly effective and safe in the treatment of adult prurigo nodularis.