Dupilumab enhances lung function parameters in children with type 2 asthma

According to a recent study, dupilumab resulted in significant and sustained improvements in lung function across various measures in children (aged 6-11 years) suffering from uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe type 2 asthma. This study’s findings were published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

In the LIBERTY ASTHMA VOYAGE phase 3 trial, children with asthma were subjected to randomization in a 2:1 ratio to receive either add-on dupilumab 100/200 mg based on bodyweight or a placebo every 2 weeks for a total of 52 weeks. This study analyzed the spirometry parameters among children with type 2 asthma (baseline blood eosinophils ≥150 cells/μL or fractional exhaled nitric oxide [FeNO] ≥20 parts per billion [ppb]), as well as subgroups identified by baseline blood eosinophils or FeNO values.

At baseline, a total of 116 children (49%) who received dupilumab and 59 children (52%) who received placebo had impaired lung function (prebronchodilator percent-predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second [ppFEV1] less than 80%). The administration of dupilumab resulted in significant improvements in pre- and postbronchodilator ppFEV1 as early as week 2, and these improvements were sustained for up to 52 weeks (the least squares mean difference versus placebo at week 52 was 7.79 percentage points ; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.36-11.22; P < .001) and 4.37 points (95% CI: 0.95-7.78; P = .01) for pre- and postbronchodilator measurements, respectively). Additionally, consistent improvements were observed in other lung function parameters, including pre- and postbronchodilator forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV₁/FVC ratio, and prebronchodilator forced expiratory flow, across all populations.

Thus, it can be concluded that dupilumab led to significant and sustained improvements in lung function across various measures in children (aged 6-11 years) with uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe type 2 asthma.