Mechanism of Action
Indication
DUPIXENT is indicated in adults as add-on maintenance treatment for uncontrolled COPD characterised by raised blood eosinophils on a combination of an ICS, a LABA, and a LAMA, or on a combination of a LABA and a LAMA if ICS is not appropriate.1
Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for further information.1
Dupixent is the first biologic to target type 2 inflammation in COPD1
Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 are key and central cytokines of type 2 inflammation2,3
IL-4 perpetuates underlying type 2 inflammation by differentiating naïve T cells into T helper 2 cells.3
IL-13 promotes goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hypersecretion.3
Local Inflammation3 -7
- Mucus hypersecretion
- Airway remodeling
- Airway smooth muscle hypertrophy
- Epithelial barrier dysfunction
- Parenchymal destruction
Systemic Inflammation3,5
- Eosinophil trafficking
- B-cell class switching
- Mast cell degranulation
- Dyspnoea
- Cough
- Sputum production
Through dual inhibition of IL-4 and IL-13 signalling, DUPIXENT used in combination with triple inhaled therapy, or double inhaled therapy if ICS is not appropriate, demonstrated an improvement in symptoms1,9–11
ABBREVIATIONS
COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; ICS, inhaled corticosteroid; IL, interleukin; SOC, standard of care
REFERENCES
- DUPIXENT (dupilumab). Summary of Product Characteristics. 2025. Date last accessed: December 2025.
- Garudadri S, Woodruff PG. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2018;15(Suppl 4):S234‑S238.
- Gandhi NA, et al. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2016;15(1):35‑50.
- Rabe KF, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2023;208(4):395-405.
- Wouters EF, et al. Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2009;6:638‑647.
- Saatian B, et al. Tissue Barriers. 2013;1(2):e24333.
- Cooper PR, et al. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2010;43(2):220‑226.
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2025 report). Available at: https://goldcopd.org/2025-gold-report/ Date last accessed: December 2025.
- Bhatt SP, et al. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(3):205‑214.
- Bhatt SP, et al. N Engl J Med. 2024;390(24):2274‑2283.
- Bhatt SP, et al. Lancet Respir Med. 2025;13:234‑243.