Mycosis fungoides and IL-4/13 inhibitors: what is known and unmet needs

Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the IL-4 receptor alpha, preventing the binding of IL-4 and IL-13 and the subsequent signal transduction. Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Several cases of MF have been reported following the initiation of dupilumab in patients previously diagnosed with atopic dermatitis.

This article is a narrative review of the current state of knowledge regarding the correlation between dupilumab and the development of CTCL. Clinical studies on this topic are reviewed, with a particular focus on the pathogenetic theories proposed to date. Finally, we present a new theory, previously undescribed, regarding the potential role of the cytokine microenvironment in triggering CTCL in patients treated with dupilumab.

Dupilumab could unmask CTCLs by inhibiting IL-4. In fact, a recent study observed that IL-4 plays a key role in maintaining the 'equilibrium phase' between tumor and microenvironment cells. Disruption of this balance could promote the escape of tumor cells and lead to the unmasking of CTCLs.