Recalcitrant anal and genital pruritus treated with dupilumab

Int J Womens Dermatol. 2018 Oct 4;4(4):223-226. doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2018.08.010. eCollection 2018 Dec.

Abstract

Chronic anogenital pruritus can significantly impair affected patients' quality of life by disrupting their sleep, mood, sexual function, and personal relationships. Although a significant portion of these patients can be managed with hygiene measures, topical therapy, oral anti-pruritics, and allergen avoidance after patch testing, guidelines to treat patients who do not respond to standard therapy have yet to be established. We describe the therapeutic response of a case of anogenital pruritus recalcitrant to multiple topical and systemic therapies. Treatment of this patient with dupilumab, an interleukin-4 receptor alpha blocker, resulted in clinical remission at 1 year from the initiation of the therapy, without significant adverse effects.

Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; allergic contact dermatitis; dupilumab; genital pruritus; itch; pruritus ani.

Publication types

  • Case Reports