Atopic dermatitis is more commonly known as Eczema. It is a condition that causes dry, itching, and inflamed skin. It usually develops in early childhood and is often found in people with a family history of this condition.
It can occur at any age but has affected children time and again. However, it is not contagious but can be highly irritating. People affected with this condition tend to develop food allergies as well.
This condition is chronic (long-lasting) but tends to flare up sometimes. Skin hygiene and moisturizing can prevent outbreaks or flares and relieve itching. It can appear anywhere on the body. Its symptoms include dry skin, itchiness, bumps, and darkening of the skin.
Dupixent (Dupilumab)
For years on end, even strong steroid creams and ointments could not control this condition, especially with children affected by this condition. Corticosteroids have been majorly used in order to manage this condition; however, the insufficiency of these methods only led to driven efforts to find a permanent solution.
Dupilumab is one such effort developed by Regeneron and Sanofi, two biotech companies. It blocks the signaling mechanisms and disrupts the progression of this disease. It contains a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the binding key of interleukins involved in the pathogenesis of Atopic dermatitis.
It has proven to help increase the life quality of the patients, and a combination of corticosteroids and dupilumab has been seen to be more effective than dupilumab itself. It also effectively reduces the severity of atopic dermatitis and its associated symptoms. it is effective in treating asthma, rhinosinusitis, and eosinophilic esophagitis.
Dupilumab has been approved by the U.S. food and drug administration, and they have also approved the expansion of the age range for the drug, this makes Dupilumab the first biologic to be approved for eczema among preschoolers. It has the same safe track record in children as seen in adults. The medication has already been approved for adults in 2017 and for adolescents in 2019.
On June 7, 2022, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Dupilumab for children aged 6 months to 5 years. This was paramount as 85%-90% of cases develop by the age of 5.
Paramount for a child.
Ariah Nihal Khan was one such child whose life was drastically changed by the use of this drug. She had been affected by Eczema since she was a baby; her symptoms included rashes, skin discolorations, and itching.
The effects of this condition could be seen in her mood and personality. No amount of lotions and prescription medicines helped the child. Her mother ( Sonia Dhaliwal) could not help feeling exhausted and powerless seeing her only child suffer from such a condition.
In her feeble situation, she sought help from a specialist in Pediatric Dermatology at Northwestern. Still, to her dismay, it was shut down due to Covid, and she could not enroll till the end of August. Upon getting in, she met with Dr. Palmer. After a thorough inspection of Ariah’s case, Dr palmer almost immediately brought up Dupilumab as she had already prescribed it to children over 6. But Sonia was taken aback after knowing that the drug had not been approved for younger kids, and Ariah was just 3. Dr. Palmer suggested a clinical trial for kids under the age of 6.
It was a 6-month long study, and Sonia would not know whether her daughter would be given the actual drug or a placebo. After much consideration and consultation, it was decided that Ariah would enroll for the trial. But the battle was just half won, as the trial required numerous doctor visits and bloodwork every three to four weeks.
However, Ariah’s condition started to improve, her skin cleared up within two weeks. There was a significant cutback in itch and improved sleep. No side effects were to be seen. Ariah’s skin is now 90% clear, and she can do at-home injections.