Dupilumab and Lymphoma Risk in AD?

Dupilumab is safe from a lymphoma-risk perspective in atopic dermatitis and other type 2 inflammatory diseases, based on real-world data.

By
Julia Cipriano, MS, CMPP
February 9, 2026
3 min

Conexiant

Overview

A large-scale retrospective cohort study found that dupilumab treatment does not increase lymphoma risk in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) or other type 2 inflammatory diseases. The study suggests that dupilumab may even reduce the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in these patients.

Background

The relationship between atopic dermatitis and lymphoma risk has been unclear, with previous concerns regarding dupilumab's safety profile. Understanding this association is crucial for clinicians managing patients with AD, particularly given the elevated baseline lymphoma risk in these individuals. This study provides important insights into the safety of dupilumab in this context.

Data Highlights

The study analyzed data from 801,508 cases and controls, revealing that AD increases lymphoma risk. However, dupilumab did not alter this risk significantly compared to other systemic therapies.

Key Findings

AD is associated with an increased risk of lymphoma, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Dupilumab treatment does not significantly increase lymphoma risk in patients with AD.
In nondermatologic type 2 inflammatory diseases, dupilumab exposure is linked to lower rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma compared to other systemic treatments.
Propensity-score matching was used to enhance comparability between treatment groups in the study.
Study limitations include its retrospective nature and potential inaccuracies in ICD-10 code registrations.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians can be reassured by the findings that dupilumab does not increase lymphoma risk in patients with AD. This supports the continued use of dupilumab as a safe treatment option, particularly in patients with nondermatologic type 2 inflammatory diseases.

Conclusion

The study provides evidence supporting the safety of dupilumab in relation to lymphoma risk, suggesting it may be a preferable treatment option for patients with atopic dermatitis and other type 2 inflammatory diseases.