Study Highlights Real-World Dupilumab Experiences for Individuals with COPD

In a recent case series presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2025 International Conference in San Francisco, dupilumab (Dupixent) treatment has been shown to be safe and generally well-tolerated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and elevated eosinophil counts.1

The data indicate that dupilumab’s utilization was linked to fewer exacerbations and improvement in patients COPD symptoms, as suggested by patient-reported outcomes. This analysis, presented in a poster session at ATS, was titled ‘Real-World Experience of Dupilumab Treatment for Patients With COPD’ and authored by such investigators as Ophir Freund, MD, of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.1

Prior to this research, dupilumab was noted as having recently demonstrated efficacy in individuals with COPD characterized by type 2 inflammation. However, Freund and colleagues noted that routine clinical practice data had been scarce prior to this analysis, and therefore their study was conducted sought to examine real-world outcomes in COPD with dupilumab treatment.

Individuals with COPD who were consecutively treated with dupilumab were invited to take part in this analysis, with a structured interview being utlized by the investigative team first. Criteria for eligibility in the study included a baseline blood eosinophil count of ≥300 cells/μL. Additionally, those being considered for eligibility would have to have at least a single exacerbation of their COPD noted from the prior year despite ongoing triple-inhaler therapy use.

There were a total of 14 individuals that were evaluated by Freund and coauthors throughout the analysis, with these subjects reporting a median duration of dupilumab therapy of 187 days (interquartile range [IQR] 173–195). The severity of their disease, based on GOLD classification, was GOLD 3E in 43% and GOLD 4E in 21% of those involved in the study.

Overall, the investigative team concluded that the participants’ median number of COPD exacerbations showed a reduction from 2 (IQR 2–2) in the period prior to dupilumab treatment to 1 (IQR 0–1) during the course of treatment period. In addition, the team highlighted a decline in the study subjects’ median COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores from 17 to 14, which they noted would indicate symptomatic improvement.

A lack of change was also noted by Freund et al in forced expiratory volume in a single second (FEV₁). Additionally, the investigators acknowledged that a single trial participant reported a having dermatologic adverse event.

Freund and colleagues determined that patient-reported outcomes had been generally positive among those taking part in the study, with 69% of the participants highlighting their own satisfaction with the use of dupilumab. They also pointed to indications by 62% of those in the study that they would recommend the medication to others individuals living with COPD.

According to the Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness (GETE), 38% of the participants reported marked clinical improvement. The team noted that the most commonly cited treatment barriers were determined to be cost, among 50%, and the frequent injection requirement, among 29%. Expression of interest in new and safe therapeutic alternatives was further noted among those involved in this analysis.

In all, the investigators’ case series would suggest that dupilumab may be considered a safe and generally well-tolerated treatment for COPD among patients who report having elevated eosinophil counts. The use of this therapeutic option was linked to fewer disease exacerbations and symptom improvement, as suggested by patient-reported outcomes.

For any additional information on new data presented at ATS, view updates in the latest conference coverage.

References

1. Freund O, Meoded O, Bar-Shai A et al. (Poster Board # P899) Real-World Experience of Dupilumab Treatment for Patients With COPD. Abstract presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference 2025 in San Francisco, CA, from May 18 - May 21, 2025.