A Georgia woman has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the eczema drug Dupixent, also known by its generic name dupilumab, caused her to develop cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, is believed to be the first Dupixent case filed in the state.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff was prescribed Dupixent to treat eczema and later developed CTCL, a cancer that can present with symptoms resembling eczema, potentially delaying accurate diagnosis. The plaintiff alleges she developed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma after taking the drug, and that Dupixent’s manufacturers, Sanofi and Regeneron, failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers about a potential link between the drug and the rare cancer that begins in the white blood cells.
Dupixent is a biologic medication delivered by injection that was approved by the FDA in 2017. It has since become a breakthrough treatment for eczema, asthma, and other inflammatory conditions.
What Is Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma?
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects the skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, CTCL occurs when certain T-cells become cancerous and migrate to the skin, leading to symptoms that may resemble common inflammatory skin conditions.
Early signs of CTCL can include persistent rashes, patches of dry or scaly skin, plaques, or lesions that may itch or change over time. Because these symptoms can closely resemble eczema or psoriasis, diagnosis is often delayed and may require multiple skin biopsies over months or years. In more advanced stages, CTCL can spread to lymph nodes, blood, or internal organs, requiring treatments such as radiation, systemic therapy, or chemotherapy.
The lawsuit alleges that this overlap in symptoms played a role in delaying diagnosis for some patients prescribed Dupixent, potentially allowing the disease to progress before it was properly identified.
Studies Examining Dupixent and CTCL
The Georgia case follows growing discussion in medical literature regarding a possible association between Dupixent (dupilumab) and CTCL. Published case reports and observational studies have examined instances in which patients prescribed dupilumab for eczema were later diagnosed with CTCL, raising questions about whether the drug may unmask, accelerate, or otherwise influence the progression of the disease.
A 2024 article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reviewed cases of CTCL diagnosed after dupilumab treatment and noted that some patients initially experienced eczema-like symptoms before their lymphoma diagnosis. Researchers emphasized that CTCL can be difficult to distinguish from chronic eczema in its early stages, particularly when symptoms temporarily improve or change with treatment.
While researchers have cautioned that a definitive causal relationship has not been established, several authors have called for increased awareness, careful monitoring, and further study, especially when patients receiving dupilumab experience worsening or atypical skin symptoms.
Growing Scrutiny of Dupixent Safety
Against this backdrop, the lawsuit alleges that drugmakers were aware, or should have been aware, of mounting safety concerns following Dupixent’s approval and failed to update prescribing information to reflect a potential cancer risk. The plaintiff claims that continued marketing and promotion of the drug downplayed or obscured those concerns.
Dupixent has generated tens of billions of dollars in revenue since its approval and is heavily marketed to both patients and physicians. The lawsuit alleges that its commercial success discouraged stronger warnings or additional safety disclosures, even as adverse event reports increased.
The case adds to growing scrutiny of biologic and immunomodulating drugs, particularly when long-term risks may not become apparent until years after FDA approval.
Dupixent Legal Representation and Next Steps
C. Andrew Childers of Childers, Schlueter & Smith (CSS) is representing the plaintiff in this lawsuit, along with co-counsel. CSS is a firm known for handling complex pharmaceutical and mass tort litigation. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for alleged injuries resulting from Dupixent use. As litigation continues to develop, additional cases may follow in Georgia and other jurisdictions.
Individuals with questions about the case or potential Dupixent-related claims can learn more by contacting Childers, Schlueter & Smith through the firm’s website, live chat, or by calling 1-800-641-0098.
