Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Early Phase 1 Interventional Ages 6 Months and up

Using Dupilumab to Treat Itch in Genetic Skin Disorders

Official title: Repurposing Dupilumab for Management of Pruritic Genetic Inflammatory Skin Disorders: a Single-Site Pilot Study

Run by Northwestern University · NCT05649098 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if dupilumab can help reduce severe itching and improve quality of life for people with genetic skin disorders.

More Skin Diseases trials

Quick facts

PhaseEarly Phase 1
Study typeInterventional
Ages6 Months and up
SexAll
Enrollment30 (estimated)
SponsorNorthwestern University
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsdupilumab, methotrexate
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 12, 2023
Main results expectedJune 30, 2031
Study endsJune 1, 2032
Registry record updatedMay 1, 2026
Trial IDNCT05649098 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include individuals over 6 months of age with a clinical diagnosis of a genetic skin disorder and significant itch severity.

Probably not a fit

Patients without a confirmed genetic skin disorder or those with mild itch (NRS < 4) may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the use of dupilumab, a medication typically used for asthma and eczema, to alleviate severe itching associated with various genetic inflammatory skin disorders. The study will include a 16-week open-label treatment phase followed by a 20-month extension for eligible participants. Patients will be monitored for their itch severity and overall response to the treatment, with a focus on those who have genetic confirmation of their skin condition. The goal is to determine if dupilumab can effectively reduce itch and improve quality of life for these patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve the quality of life for patients suffering from severe itch due to genetic skin disorders.

How similar studies have gone: While dupilumab has been successful in treating other conditions, this specific application for genetic skin disorders is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female \> 6 months of age at screening visit
2. Clinical diagnosis of a genetic skin disorder at the screening visit, ideally with genetic or histological confirmation.
3. Must have had the gene with one or more variants identified by genotyping. If the genotype has not been performed or has not been performed at a CLIA-approved laboratory, be willing to provide a sample (saliva, buccal swab, blood) for genetic testing before starting the dupilumab.
4. Average Itch Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) ≥ 4 and Worst Itch NRS of at least 5 during the previous 7 days (self-reported if \>8 years old; proxy reported if under 8 years)
5. Must be willing to provide information weekly about Average and Worst Itch/self- or proxy-assessed severity and wear the sensor device to track itch and sleep weekly throughout the first 24 weeks of the trial (Parts A and B).
6. Must be willing and able to adhere to the prohibitions and restrictions specified in this protocol.
7. Subject, parent/caregiver or legal guardians, as appropriate, are able to understand and complete the study requirements and study-related questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects \< 6 months of age at screening visit.
2. Unable to provide informed consent or assent (or who do not have consent from a Legally Authorized Representative if \< 18 years).
3. Diagnosis of ichthyosis vulgaris as the sole inherited disorder
4. Used of dupilumab within 5 drug half-lives (105 days) of baseline visit
5. Subjects who have used any of the following treatments within 4 weeks, or within a period equal to 5 times the half-life of the drug, before the baseline visit, whichever is longer:

   1. Immunosuppressive/immunomodulating drugs (eg, systemic corticosteroids, cyclosporine, mycophenolate-mofetil, IFN-γ, Janus kinase inhibitors, azathioprine, methotrexate, etc.), systemic anti-inflammatory medication, or phototherapy
   2. Other biologics: within 5 half-lives (if known) or 16 weeks, whichever is longer
6. Initiation of topical or systemic retinoids, topical keratolytics, or topical anti-inflammatory agents within 4 weeks before study start/Part A (systemic retinoids and topical medications/emollients can be used during the trial if started at least 4 wks before the observation period and continued throughout Parts A and B). Note: Rescue therapy for disease flares or local infection will be allowed per investigator discretion but must be for no more than a total of 1 week during any 4-week period and, if topical, involve application to less than 10% BSA.
7. Subjects with active infections or recent history of serious infections, malignancies or history of malignancies, or any severe, progressive, or uncontrolled renal, hepatic, hematologic, endocrine, pulmonary, cardiac, neurologic or psychiatric cerebral disease, or signs or symptoms thereof. It is recognized that patients with ichthyosis may have arthritis, while patients with junctional or dystrophic EB may have a variety of associated issues (eg nutritional, anemia, etc). The decision to include will be based on investigator's discretion but must reflect the likelihood for stable disease and lack of anticipated interference with assessment of itch.
8. Treatment with a live (attenuated) vaccine within 4 weeks before the Week 0 visit when dupilumab is initiated; use of vaccination during the study requires consultation with the study investigator and primary care provider.
9. Active acute or chronic infection requiring treatment with systemic antibiotics/ anti-virals/ anti-fungals within 2 weeks before the initiation of dupilumab (start of dupilumab can be delayed). Delay in initiation because of treatment with a topical antimicrobial to a localized superficial site will be determined by the investigator.

Where it's running

  • Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.