Biologic
RCSB PDB 6WGB
Dupilumab
Dupixent
- Mechanism of action
- IL-4Rα antagonist (mAb)
- In plain language
- A lab-made antibody that blocks a receptor called IL-4Rα, shutting down two inflammation-signaling proteins that drive itching, swelling, and tissue damage in allergic and inflammatory diseases.
- How it works
- Dupilumab binds the IL-4Rα subunit shared by the type I and type II IL-4/IL-13 receptor complexes, inhibiting signaling from both interleukin-4 and interleukin-13. These cytokines are central drivers of type 2 inflammation, which underlies conditions such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. By blocking this shared receptor, dupilumab reduces downstream inflammatory signaling without broadly suppressing the immune system.
- Therapeutic applications
- FDA-approved across a broad range of type 2 inflammatory diseases, including moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, add-on maintenance therapy for eosinophilic asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, eosinophilic esophagitis, prurigo nodularis, chronic spontaneous urticaria, bullous pemphigoid, and eosinophilic COPD.
- Class
- Monoclonal antibody
- Therapeutic area
- Immunology / Dermatology
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