Skip To Main Content

 

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU)

LOOK BENEATH THE SURFACE OF CSU

DUPIXENT is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic spontaneous urticaria in adult, adolescent and pediatric patients (2 years and above) with inadequate response to H1 antihistamines and who are naive to anti-IgE therapy for CSU.1

CSU ICON

CSU1

moderate-to-severe with inadequate response to H1 antihistamines and naive to anti-IgE therapy

AD-icon

ATOPIC DERMATITIS1

moderate-to-severe in 12+ years;
severe in 6 months to 11 years and inadequately controlled on topicals

pn-icon

PRURIGO NODULARIS1

moderate-to-severe

asthma-icon

ASTHMA1

type 2 or OCS dependent

crswnp-icon

CRSwNP1

inadequately controlled

eoe-icon

EoE1

In patients aged 1 year and older, weighing at least 15 kg

copd-icon

COPD1

uncontrolled in adults with type 2 inflammation and on triple therapy

Debilitating episodes affect everyday life2

With CSU, itch is more than just discomfort

Itching can make it difficult to fall asleep and remain asleep through the night, resulting in fatigue and decreased physical functioning2

10-out-of-9

patients report itch as one of the most bothersome symptoms3

Common comorbidities include autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndrome, and other chronic diseases driven by type 2 inflammation (eg, AD, asthma, and COPD)4

EVERYDAY-LIFE

Unpredictability takes an emotional toll2,5

Unpredictable hives and itch have a major impact

Daily functioning is negatively affected, often with feelings of embarrassment, frustration, and irritability2,5

 

17-percent

of patients present with depressive disorders4,6

30-percent

present with anxiety4,6

 

CSU REQUIRES CONTINUOUS CONTROL TO REDUCE SLEEP IMPAIRMENT, FUNCTIONAL IMPAIRMENT, AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS2,5

Antihistamines may not be enough7

Antihistamines may not provide adequate relief for all patients

 

50-percent-patients

have an insufficient response to H1 antihistamines, including some treated at up to 4x the standard dosage7

 

Given the complexity and heterogeneous nature of CSU, despite existing treatment options, there remains unmet need8

Early diagnosis is crucial

Key diagnostic criteria:

6-weeks

of hives (with or without angioedema)9

24-hours

duration for individual hives9

No - icon

(not an allergic condition; allergy testing and/or skin biopsy are not required for diagnosis)2,9

 

Are your patients adequately controlled?

You might not know unless you ask

  • Are symptoms interfering with sleep?
  • Are symptoms affecting work or social activities?
  • How is CSU impacting you emotionally?
early-diagnosis

Assessing disease control

According to guidelines, CSU treatment goals are complete disease control and normalization of quality of life9

The Urticaria Control Test (UCT) is a simple, 4-question tool that can be used at every visit to assess and monitor disease control in CSU9

UCT-table

 

A UCT score <12 signifies uncontrolled CSU, indicating a need to escalate treatment for those patients9

Consider the uncontrolled

CSU remained undertreated

In a real-world 2-year study of patients with uncontrolled CSU (N=2727)11,a

5-outof-4

WERE POORLY CONTROLLED (UCT <12)11

10-outof-7

REMAINED UNDERTREATED11

 

In patients uncontrolled on H1 antihistamines, escalate therapy after 2-4 weeks or sooner if symptoms are intolerable

- International EAACI/GA2LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI Guidelines9

When H1 antihistamines are not enough, a different approach may be needed

Dupixent offers an approach that may help a broad range of patients1

IL-4 and IL-13 signaling may contribute to different aspects of mast cell activation and degranulation

Mast cell activation may be driven by IL-4 and IL-1312

IgE-dependent

Mast cells may be activated by:

  • IgE on mast cells targeting autoallergens12
  • IgG targeting IgE on mast cells12

IgE-independent

Mast cells may be activated by:

  • IgG targeting IgE receptors on mast cells12
  • Through activation of other receptors on mast cells, including IL-4α12

Neuronal sensitization

leading to itch may be caused by IL-4 and IL-1313,14

Immune cell trafficking

into the skin may be promoted by IL-4 and IL-1315,16

Dupixent is the dual inhibitor of IL-4 and IL-13 signaling1,17

DUPIXENT reduces type 2 inflammation by targeting IL-4Rα, which inhibits both IL-4 and IL-13 signaling to help relieve itch and hives in CSU1

 

Dual-inhibition

 

HELPS RELIEVE ITCH

HELPS RELIEVE HIVES

  • May help reduce sensitization of sensory neurons to pruritogens, such as histamine and IL-311,2,18
  • Reduces itch (CUPID Study A, CUPID Study C)1,2,18
  • May help reduce mast cell activation and degranulation1,2,16
  • May decrease skin homing of type 2 inflammatory cells1,2,16
  • Reduces incidence of hives (CUPID Study A, CUPID Study C)1,2,16

 

Dupixent provides precise reduction of Type 2 inflammation1

When H1 antihistamines are not enough, Dupixent improves debilitating itch1,19,a

ISS7: weekly itch severity score

ISS7-severity-score

 

Improvement observed as early as Week 3 according to a post hoc, pooled analysis of CUPID Study A and CUPID Study C. Definitive conclusions cannot be made as this was a post hoc analysis which was not multiplicity controlled21

 

CUPID Study C

  • 49% vs 32% reduction in ISS7 at Week 24 (DUPIXENT: -8.64 vs placebo: -6.10; P=0.0184)19
  • Reduction in ISS7 at Week 12 (DUPIXENT: -7.15 vs placebo: -5.31, endpoint; not significant)19
  • Mean ISS7 at baseline: DUPIXENT (n=74): 15.25 (SD, 3.63); placebo (n=77): 15.03 (SD, 3.95)19

When H1 antihistamines are not enough, Dupixent improves debilitating itch and hives1,19

UAS7: weekly itch + hives activity score

UAS7-weekly-itch-hives

 

Improvement observed as early as Week 3 according to a post hoc, pooled analysis of CUPID Study A and CUPID Study C. Definitive conclusions cannot be made as this was a post hoc analysis which was not multiplicity controlled21

 

CUPID Study C

  • 48% vs 32% reduction in UAS7 at Week 24 (DUPIXENT: -15.86 vs placebo: -11.21; P=0.0226)19
  • Reduction in UAS7 at Week 12 (DUPIXENT: -12.87 vs placebo: -9.51, endpoint; not significant)19
  • Mean UAS7 at baseline: DUPIXENT (n=74): 28.57 (SD, 7.09); placebo (n=77): 27.07 (SD, 7.88)19

Demonstrated safety profile in csu

Adverse reactions occurring in ≥2% of patients through Week 24 (pooled safety data across CUPID Studies A, B, and C) were injection site reactions (10% DUPIXENT [n=195] vs 8% placebo [n=197])19,a,b

 

DISCONTINUATIONS DUE TO ADVERSE EVENTS WERE 1.0% FOR DUPIXENT vs 2.5% FOR PLACEBO (POOLED SAFETY POPULATION FROM CUPID STUDIES A, B, AND C)19,a,b

 

Among patients with CSU, the frequency of conjunctivitis was low and similar between the DUPIXENT and placebo groups1

The safety profile of dupixent has been demonstrated across all approved indications, including in patients ≥6 months in AD1,c

Adverse reactions for dupixent in clinical studies1

 

System organ class

Frequency

Adverse reaction

Infections and infestations Common

Conjunctivitisd

Oral herpesd

Blood and lymphatic system
disorders
Common Eosinophilia
Immune system disorders

Uncommon

Rare

Angioedemae

Anaphylactic reactions, serum sickness reactions, serum sickness like reactions

Eye disorders

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Conjunctivitis allergicd

Keratitis,d,e blepharitis,d,f eye pruritus,d,f dry eyed,f
Ulcerative keratitisd-f

Skin and subcutaneous tissue
disorders
Uncommon Facial rashe
Musculoskeletal and connective
tissue disorders
Common Arthralgiae
General disorders and
administration site conditions
Common Injection site reactions (includes erythema, edema, pruritus, pain, swelling, and bruising)

 

  • If a systemic hypersensitivity reaction (immediate or delayed) occurs, DUPIXENT should be discontinued immediately and appropriate therapy initiated1
  • Patients who develop conjunctivitis that does not resolve following standard treatment should undergo ophthalmological examination1
  • Patients with comorbid asthma should not adjust or stop their asthma treatments without consulting their physicians. Monitor patients with comorbid asthma carefully following discontinuation of DUPIXENT1
  • Most patients experiencing conjunctivitis recovered or were recovering during the treatment period1
  • Treat any pre-existing helminth infections prior to initiating treatment with DUPIXENT. If patients become infected while receiving treatment with DUPIXENT and do not respond to anti-helminth treatment, discontinue treatment with DUPIXENT until the infection resolves1

 

Important considerations

 

initial lab testing

No requirements for initial lab testing or ongoing lab monitoring1

drug-to-drug interactions

No known drug-to-drug interactions1

immunosuppressant

Not an immunosuppressant or a steroid1

A biologic you know is approved in CSU

For stable improvement in itch, hives, and QoL at week 24 vs placebo for patients ≥12 years1,19

DUPIXENT relieved itch by Week 3, reduced lesions, and improved quality of life19,21

Demonstrated safety profile in CSU1

Consistent safety profile across all approved indications and age groups1

Start with ease

Not an immunosuppressant, no known drug-to-drug interactions, and no requirements for initial lab testing or ongoing lab monitoring1,2

 

Dupixent® (dupilumab), solution for injection in pre-filled syringe/pen 200 mg and 300 mg

Related articles

Leading-patient-engagement

Leading Patient Engagement

CSU Patient Engagement: Expert Strategies for Meaningful Patient Communication

Learn more
Leading-patient-engagement

Defining Control

Identifying Inadequately Controlled CSU: Using the UCT for Clinical Decision-Making

Learn more
Urgency-to-treat

Urgency to Treat

CSU Treatment Guidelines: The Importance of Timely Escalation in Uncontrolled Patients

Learn more