Dupilumab

Dupilumab

Monoclonal antibody
Type	Whole antibody
Source	Human
Target	IL4 receptor alpha
Identifiers
CAS Number	1190264-60-8
ATC code	none
Chemical data
Formula	C6512H10066N1730O2052S46
Molecular mass	146.9 kg/mol

Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody designed for the treatment of atopic diseases. This drug was developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. The US Food and Drug Administration has designated dupilumab a “breakthrough therapy” which is designed to speed promising new drugs to market.

Mechanism of action

It binds to the alpha subunit of the interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4Rα). Through blockade of IL-4Rα, dupilumab modulates signaling of both the interleukin 4 and interleukin 13 pathway.

Medical uses

The inerleukin 4 and 13 pathways have been implicated in the pathophysiology of allergic disease, particularly asthma and atopic dermatitis.

Clinical trials

In 2013 mid-stage data was presented at the American Thoracic Society meeting and published in the NEJM demonstrating an 87% (placebo: 67%) reduction in asthma exacerbations in patients with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma. In an atopic dermatitis study, 85% of patients improved their symptoms by at least 50% within twelve weeks (measured by eczema area and severity index), versus 35% in the placebo group.