Dupilumab for the treatment of nivolumab-induced bullous pemphigoid: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, a relatively new class of drugs, are used to treat a variety of malignancies. These drugs have a known association with cutaneous side effects, such as bullous pemphigoid. Bullous pemphigoid is a pruritic blistering disorder that is caused by autoantibodies forming against the basement membrane of the epidermis. New research has shown that interleukin-4, interleukin-13, and eosinophils play a significant role in the pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid. Dupilumab, an IL4 alpha receptor antagonist has been shown to reduce IL4 and IL13 in atopic dermatitis. We present a case of nivolumab-induced bullous pemphigoid that was successfully treated with dupilumab.