BACKGROUND: Real-world data on dupilumab for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), particularly regarding flexible dosing and fibrostenotic phenotypes, are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in clinical practice using the EoE CONNECT registry. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis included all patients prospectively recruited in the largest European multicenter EoE registry. Baseline characteristics, dosing regimens (300 mg weekly vs. semi-weekly), clinico-histological response (CHR), dose adjustments, and treatment tolerability were assessed. RESULTS: We analyzed 161 patients (145 adults; 16 adolescents). At baseline, 69.1% of patients displayed endoscopic fibrotic features (rings/strictures). After a median of 6.5 months, peak eosinophil count decreased from 57±45 to 8±19 eos/hpf, EREFS score declined from 3.0±1.6 to 1.3±1.3, and DSS improved from 5.8±3.7 to 2.5±2.8 (all p<0.001). CHR was achieved by 86.0% of patients on 300 mg weekly and 81.2% on semi-weekly dosing (p=0.57). Multivariate analysis identified severe atopy as the reason for starting dupilumab as the strongest predictor for semi-weekly regimen choice (OR: 26.9; p<0.001), with conjunctivitis, asthma, and having two or more food allergies being significant. Both regimens were equally effective in reducing peak eos/hpf, symptomatology and EREFS. Dose tapering from weekly to semi-weekly/monthly was successful in all evaluable cases (8/8), while dose escalation from semi-weekly to weekly rescued 80% (4/5) of non-responders. Discontinuation occurred only in 8 patients (5%), primarily due to adverse events. CONCLUSION: Dupilumab is effective and safe in real-world EoE management, with no significant differences between weekly and semi-weekly induction. Efficacy was generally regained after escalation or maintained after dose tapering.
Laserna-Mendieta et al. (Tue,) studied this question.