New Research Suggests Dupilumab Improves Severity in Sensory Loss in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Recent trials for the monoclonal antibody dupilumab (Dupixent) suggested greater improvements in the severity of loss-of-taste and loss-of-smell in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).

Data from the SINUS-24 and SINUS-52 trials were presented at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Annual Meeting. Researchers claimed the new study presented the first patient-reported improvements of taste and smell at a medical meeting.

The current study divided participants into 2 groups, one which would be administered dupilumab and the other a placebo.

Participants in the study suffered from severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, a condition that typically leads to a loss-of-taste.

The investigators monitored nasal polyp size, congestion, and quality of life of participants during the trial. Results were recorded using a scale system in which patients could record the severity of their pains and more.

Dr. Jorge Maspero, clinical research director for allergy and respiratory medicine at Fundacion Cidea, spoke of the results of the trial in an interview with HCPLive.

“What we found was that there really was a huge number of patients reporting their recovery, either partial or totally,” Maspero said. “In general, more than 60% of the patients showed an improvement in their loss-of-taste severity for at least 1 point at week 24 and 52.”

Improvements on severity, nasal polyps and congestion of all participants in the dupilumab group were much more noticeable than the placebo group. Additionally, Dr. Maspero touched on the patients’ struggles with their condition, and how dupilumab could provide them with a more promising future.

“One thing that should be kept in mind is that these people, aside from the fact that they have a lot of complaints due to the nasal polyps, some of the things they miss most are their smell and taste senses,” Maspero said. “They usually tell us ‘I eat because I have to eat’ but they cannot feel what they’re eating or even smelling. So this represents a huge change in their quality of life.”