Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in the treatment of adult prurigo nodularis. Methods A prospective study was conducted on patients with prurigo nodularis who received the treatment with dupilumab in Peking University People′s Hospital from January 2021 to November 2021. Efficacy was assessed using the Investigator′s Global Assessment （IGA）, Numerical Rating Scale （NRS） and Dermatology Life Quality Index （DLQI） at weeks 0, 4 and 16. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and paired t test were used to analyze changes in the above parameters before and after treatment. Results A total of 17 patients were enrolled in this study, including 12 females and 5 males, aged 48.47 ± 16.26 years. After 16-week treatment with dupilumab, the pruritus NRS score decreased from 8.00 ± 1.50 at baseline to 1.29 ± 0.85 （t = 6.98, P < 0.001）, the sleeplessness NRS score decreased from 5.18 ± 2.98 at baseline to 0.12 ± 0.49 （t = 12.55，P < 0.001）, and the DLQI score declined from 13.29 ± 4.03 at baseline to 0.88 ± 0.70 （t = 16.39，P < 0.001）; at week 16, the IGA grade of all the 17 patients decreased from 3 - 4 at baseline to 0 - 2, 16 achieved IGA grades 0 - 1, and 12 achieved IGA grade 0. During the treatment, mild conjunctivitis occurred in 2 cases, local injection reaction occurred in 1, and both conditions were improved after short-term symptomatic treatment. Conclusion Dupilumab is markedly effective and safe in the treatment of adult prurigo nodularis.

Key words: Prurigo, Dermatitis, atopic, Biological agents, Treatment outcome, Drug toxicity, Dupilumab, Prurigo nodularis