Expression of IL-4 in Tumors: A Safety Surrogate to Predict Cancer Survival Associated With Biologic Therapies

Interleukin (IL)-4-targeted therapies have revolutionized management of inflammatory dermatoses. Dupilumab, an IL-4 receptor alpha inhibitor, is approved for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, and eosinophilic esophagitis¹ with ongoing studies including in urticaria, prurigo nodularis, and alopecia.² Interleukins are critical mediators of immunosurveillance, and a theoretical increased risk of malignancy exists for any interleukin inhibitor until real-world long-term safety data are explored. Genomic expression studies can help examine if interleukin deficiencies are associated with increased malignancy risk, providing a proxy for long-term interleukin repression.