New Biologic Drug Eases Treatment for Kids with EoE

For thousands of families managing eosinophilic esophagitis in their children, treatment just got significantly easier.

Cleveland Clinic Children's is now offering dupilumab, a biologic drug approved in 2022 that's changing how kids with EoE are treated. Instead of daily medications or restrictive food elimination diets, children can receive a simple injection at home once a week or every other week.

Dr. Sophia Patel, a pediatric gastroenterologist at the clinic, says the convenience matters for families dealing with a chronic condition. "For some families, an injection at home is much more practical than trying to give an oral medication once or twice a day indefinitely," she explains.

The results have been impressive. In a clinical trial with children ages 1 to 11, 68% achieved histologic remission.

The Ripple Effect

The benefits extend beyond the esophagus. Many children with EoE also struggle with asthma, eczema, and food allergies.

Dupilumab treats all these conditions with one medication. "The best part about using dupilumab is the ability to give patients one drug to relieve their EoE and other symptoms," says Dr. Brian Schroer, a pediatric allergist at Cleveland Clinic Children's.

Parents are also celebrating another advance: monitoring that doesn't require sedation. Cleveland Clinic Children's now offers transnasal endoscopy, a 10-minute procedure done in the clinic while kids are awake.

The team uses virtual reality headsets so children can watch videos or play games during the procedure. Dr. Patel reports it's well tolerated and provides nearly the same information as a traditional sedated endoscopy.

An even simpler option may soon be available. A string-based test called EnteroTracker allows children to swallow a small capsule that collects inflammation markers as it passes through the esophagus. No sedation needed.

These monitoring advances mean fewer trips to the hospital and less stress for families. Combined with more effective treatments, children with EoE can now enjoy fuller, less restricted lives.