Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol
Dupilumab improves skin barrier function in children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis
Several studies in adults with atopic dermatitis (AD) treated with dupilumab report improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL). In the PELISTAD study, similar objective benefits were demonstrated in children aged 6 to 11 with moderate‑to‑severe AD. At baseline, lesional/nonlesional TEWL was markedly elevated (55.1/28.0 g x m⁻² x h⁻¹) vs. healthy controls (14.0 g x m⁻² x h⁻¹), and epidermal thickness was significantly increased (251.1/166.1 µm vs. 118.2 µm). After 16 weeks of dupilumab, TEWL improved to 30.3/22.0 g x m⁻² x h⁻¹ and thickness to 196.8/141.9 µm, reaching near‑normal levels and remaining stable through week 28. By weeks 16 and 28, neither measure differed significantly from healthy skin.
Clinical takeaway: Early treatment with dupilumab in moderate‑to‑severe pediatric AD may restore underlying barrier dysfunction.
Source:
Cork MJ, et al. (2026, January 27). Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. Dupilumab treatment restores epithelial barrier in nonlesional and lesional skin in children with atopic dermatitis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41611123/