Dupilumab unmasking cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: report of a fatal case

We present a 60-year-old man who was started on dupilumab for severe atopic dermatitis. After initial improvement his skin deteriorated and 'unmasked' cutaneous T cell lymphoma, which rapidly progressed resulting in his death 12 months after dupilumab was stopped. This case adds to the evidence that dupilumab can cause CTCL progression and highlights the importance of re-evaluating patient diagnosis to exclude CTCL prior to starting this biologic.

Automated summary

We present a case of a 60-year-old man who developed worsening of his skin condition and subsequently was diagnosed with cutaneous T cell lymphoma after receiving treatment with dupilumab for severe atopic dermatitis. The disease rapidly progressed and led to the patient's death 12 months after discontinuing dupilumab. This case adds to the existing evidence that dupilumab can cause CTCL progression and emphasizes the importance of re-evaluating patient diagnosis to exclude CTCL prior to initiating this biologic therapy.