Recent studies have linked Dupixent to an increased risk of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a rare cancer affecting immune cells in the skin. Dupixent has helped many people manage chronic inflammatory conditions, but emerging research suggests the medication may come with serious risks that were not fully understood when it first hit the market. Here is what you need to know about how this drug works and why scientists believe it may be connected to CTCL.
How Dupixent Works in the Body
Dupixent, known generically as dupilumab, is a medication designed to reduce inflammation by blocking two interleukin proteins, IL-4 and IL-13. These proteins play key roles in triggering inflammatory responses throughout the body.
Administered through injections under the skin, Dupixent is approved to treat a range of conditions, including eczema, asthma, chronic sinus inflammation with nasal polyps, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and several skin conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved it in March 2017, and it is manufactured by Regeneron and Sanofi.
What Studies Show About Dupixent and CTCL Risk
A 2024 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that patients with atopic dermatitis who used Dupixent faced a risk of developing CTCL more than four times higher than those who did not use the medication. Most diagnoses occurred more than a year after starting treatment.
Research published in 2025 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology examined FDA safety data. Dupixent users reported CTCL at 30 times the rate of people using other medications. The researchers suggested that the drug’s effects on IL-4 and IL-13 receptor pathways could potentially speed up CTCL development in people who are already susceptible.
Additional research in the European Respiratory Journal showed that asthma patients taking Dupixent had a 79% higher risk of lymphoma, with particularly high rates of T-cell and natural killer cell lymphomas. A separate 2024 study noted that most Dupixent patients who developed CTCL received their diagnosis within the first year, with a higher risk observed in patients over 60.
What Are the Symptoms of CTCL?
Recognizing CTCL early can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes. Watch for the following warning signs:
- Patches of raised or scaly skin that may itch
- Skin discoloration that appears pink, red, brown, or gray
- Patches that look lighter than the surrounding skin
- Lumps on the skin that may break open
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Unexplained hair loss
- Thickened skin on palms or soles
- A widespread, scaly, itchy rash
What Should You Do If You Are Diagnosed with CTCL?
The link between Dupixent and CTCL has prompted a growing wave of lawsuits from patients who trusted this medication to treat their eczema or asthma. If you’ve received a CTCL diagnosis after using Dupixent, you should preserve all medical records documenting your treatment history and diagnosis, and consider speaking with a legal professional.
An attorney handling Dupixent claims can review your medical history, assess the strength of your case, and guide you through the process of seeking accountability from the manufacturer. Contact a Dupixent lawsuit attorney today to discuss your situation at no cost.