Dupilumab in an adolescent with eosinophilic esophagitis and eosinophilic duodenitis, a valuable treatment option

The authors report the first adolescent (to our knowledge) in Belgium to receive duplimumab for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and eosinophilic duodenitis (EoD). EoE was diagnosed in 2020 in a 13-year-old boy by endoscopy with biopsies following complaints of abdominal pain. Several treatments (omeprazole, topical steroids, and elemental diet) have been tried without adequate and sustained success. In 2023, in addition to the diagnosis of EoE, a diagnosis of mucosal EoD with significant ulceration was established. In January 2023, the EMA approved the use of dupilumab for EoE in children above the age of 12. Weekly subcutaneous dupilumab 300mg was started in November 2023. After three months, a complete endoscopic and histologic normalization of the esophagus and duodenum was achieved. He reported no further clinical signs or adverse events to date.

Keywords: eosinophilic oesophagitis, eosinophilic duodenitis, adolescent, dupilumab.