Dupilumab, a Potential Novel Treatment for Hailey–Hailey Disease

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Hailey–Hailey disease (HHD) is an uncommon genodermatosis with autosomal dominant inheritance caused by loss-of-function mutations in the ATP2C1 gene, which lead to disruption in keratinocyte adhesion and intraepidermal acantholysis. The chronic nature of th...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Liliana Gabriela Popa, Calin Giurcaneanu, Florentina Zaharia, Andreea Grigoras, Alexandra Denisa Oprea, Cristina Beiu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Clinics and Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-7283/15/3/48
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850090227777929216
author Liliana Gabriela Popa
Calin Giurcaneanu
Florentina Zaharia
Andreea Grigoras
Alexandra Denisa Oprea
Cristina Beiu
author_facet Liliana Gabriela Popa
Calin Giurcaneanu
Florentina Zaharia
Andreea Grigoras
Alexandra Denisa Oprea
Cristina Beiu
author_sort Liliana Gabriela Popa
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Hailey–Hailey disease (HHD) is an uncommon genodermatosis with autosomal dominant inheritance caused by loss-of-function mutations in the ATP2C1 gene, which lead to disruption in keratinocyte adhesion and intraepidermal acantholysis. The chronic nature of the disease, its frequent recurrences and the lack of specific treatment pose real challenges in the long-term management of these patients. Recent studies have evaluated the effect of dupilumab, a human monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin-4 and -13 receptor in refractory HHD, with very promising results. The aim of this study was to review the published data on the use of dupilumab for the treatment of HHD, to present our own experience in the field, and to discuss the mechanisms underlying dupilumab’s beneficial effects in HHD and the future treatment perspectives. <b>Methods:</b> A search of the medical literature on the use of dupilumab in the treatment of HHD was conducted. The terms “Hailey–Hailey disease”, “benign familial pemphigus”, “benign chronic pemphigus”, and “dupilumab” were searched across multiple databases (Medline, Chrocane Library, EMBASE) from inception until 30 September 2024. <b>Results:</b> To date, six manuscripts describing 11 refractory HHD cases treated with dupilumab have been published. All the patients experienced significant clinical improvement. The authors reported sustained disease quiescence in seven patients (64%), monitored for 5 to 24 months. None of the patients experienced adverse effects related to dupilumab. To the existing evidence, we add a new case of recalcitrant HHD successfully treated with dupilumab. <b>Conclusions:</b> Mounting evidence indicates dupilumab as a safe and efficient therapeutic alternative in patients with severe, refractory HHD. However, the long-term efficacy of dupilumab and the optimal therapeutic regimen for HHD are yet to be determined.
format Article
id doaj-art-8010f96cbbc446258d237eec156f77f5
institution DOAJ
issn 2039-7283
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Clinics and Practice
spelling doaj-art-8010f96cbbc446258d237eec156f77f52025-08-20T02:42:36ZengMDPI AGClinics and Practice2039-72832025-02-011534810.3390/clinpract15030048Dupilumab, a Potential Novel Treatment for Hailey–Hailey DiseaseLiliana Gabriela Popa0Calin Giurcaneanu1Florentina Zaharia2Andreea Grigoras3Alexandra Denisa Oprea4Cristina Beiu5Dermatology Department, Elias Emergency University Hospital, 17 Marasti Bd., District 1, 011461 Bucharest, RomaniaDermatology Department, Elias Emergency University Hospital, 17 Marasti Bd., District 1, 011461 Bucharest, RomaniaDermatology Department, CF 2 Clinical Hospital, 63 Marasti Bd., District 1, 011464 Bucharest, RomaniaDermatology Department, Elias Emergency University Hospital, 17 Marasti Bd., District 1, 011461 Bucharest, RomaniaDermatology Department, Elias Emergency University Hospital, 17 Marasti Bd., District 1, 011461 Bucharest, RomaniaDermatology Department, Elias Emergency University Hospital, 17 Marasti Bd., District 1, 011461 Bucharest, Romania<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Hailey–Hailey disease (HHD) is an uncommon genodermatosis with autosomal dominant inheritance caused by loss-of-function mutations in the ATP2C1 gene, which lead to disruption in keratinocyte adhesion and intraepidermal acantholysis. The chronic nature of the disease, its frequent recurrences and the lack of specific treatment pose real challenges in the long-term management of these patients. Recent studies have evaluated the effect of dupilumab, a human monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin-4 and -13 receptor in refractory HHD, with very promising results. The aim of this study was to review the published data on the use of dupilumab for the treatment of HHD, to present our own experience in the field, and to discuss the mechanisms underlying dupilumab’s beneficial effects in HHD and the future treatment perspectives. <b>Methods:</b> A search of the medical literature on the use of dupilumab in the treatment of HHD was conducted. The terms “Hailey–Hailey disease”, “benign familial pemphigus”, “benign chronic pemphigus”, and “dupilumab” were searched across multiple databases (Medline, Chrocane Library, EMBASE) from inception until 30 September 2024. <b>Results:</b> To date, six manuscripts describing 11 refractory HHD cases treated with dupilumab have been published. All the patients experienced significant clinical improvement. The authors reported sustained disease quiescence in seven patients (64%), monitored for 5 to 24 months. None of the patients experienced adverse effects related to dupilumab. To the existing evidence, we add a new case of recalcitrant HHD successfully treated with dupilumab. <b>Conclusions:</b> Mounting evidence indicates dupilumab as a safe and efficient therapeutic alternative in patients with severe, refractory HHD. However, the long-term efficacy of dupilumab and the optimal therapeutic regimen for HHD are yet to be determined.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-7283/15/3/48Hailey–Hailey diseasebenign familial pemphigusbenign chronic pemphigusdupilumab
spellingShingle Liliana Gabriela Popa
Calin Giurcaneanu
Florentina Zaharia
Andreea Grigoras
Alexandra Denisa Oprea
Cristina Beiu
Dupilumab, a Potential Novel Treatment for Hailey–Hailey Disease
Clinics and Practice
Hailey–Hailey disease
benign familial pemphigus
benign chronic pemphigus
dupilumab
title Dupilumab, a Potential Novel Treatment for Hailey–Hailey Disease
title_full Dupilumab, a Potential Novel Treatment for Hailey–Hailey Disease
title_fullStr Dupilumab, a Potential Novel Treatment for Hailey–Hailey Disease
title_full_unstemmed Dupilumab, a Potential Novel Treatment for Hailey–Hailey Disease
title_short Dupilumab, a Potential Novel Treatment for Hailey–Hailey Disease
title_sort dupilumab a potential novel treatment for hailey hailey disease
topic Hailey–Hailey disease
benign familial pemphigus
benign chronic pemphigus
dupilumab
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-7283/15/3/48
work_keys_str_mv AT lilianagabrielapopa dupilumabapotentialnoveltreatmentforhaileyhaileydisease
AT calingiurcaneanu dupilumabapotentialnoveltreatmentforhaileyhaileydisease
AT florentinazaharia dupilumabapotentialnoveltreatmentforhaileyhaileydisease
AT andreeagrigoras dupilumabapotentialnoveltreatmentforhaileyhaileydisease
AT alexandradenisaoprea dupilumabapotentialnoveltreatmentforhaileyhaileydisease
AT cristinabeiu dupilumabapotentialnoveltreatmentforhaileyhaileydisease