Eosinophilic cellulitis (EC), also known as Wells' syndrome, is a rare and challenging skin disorder marked by diverse clinical manifestations and a lack of standardized diagnostic and treatment guidelines. This case report focuses on a 48-year-old woman with persistent dermatitis resistant to traditional therapies, highlighting the potential for dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13), as an innovative treatment option for refractory EC.
The patient presented with annular, erythematous skin lesions and had undergone multiple treatment attempts, including griseofulvin, doxycycline, topical steroids, cyclosporine, methotrexate, and antihistamines, with limited or no success. Skin biopsies revealed interstitial eosinophilic infiltration, confirming a diagnosis of EC. Despite initial improvement with corticosteroids, the dermatitis recurred after treatment was discontinued. Given the ineffectiveness of conventional therapies, dupilumab was introduced based on its ability to modulate immune responses by inhibiting IL-4/IL-13 signaling, reducing inflammation.
Remarkably, the patient experienced a significant resolution of symptoms following a single dose of dupilumab, and long-term management with this biologic led to sustained control of her condition. While attempts to transition to mepolizumab, an anti-IL-5 agent, resulted in flare-ups, dupilumab continued to offer superior results, suggesting it may be more effective for this condition.
This case demonstrates dupilumab's transformative potential in treating EC, particularly in patients resistant to standard therapies. By targeting the underlying immune dysregulation and inhibiting key inflammatory pathways, dupilumab provided durable relief where other treatments failed. This report also highlights the need for further research into dupilumab's role in managing EC and other rare inflammatory skin conditions. Its success underscores the importance of exploring innovative therapies for complex dermatologic disorders, offering new hope for patients with challenging conditions like EC.
