Effect of Dupilumab on Nasal Epithelial Barrier Function in Patients With CRSwNP

Primary objective 1: Characterization of differences in barrier function of the nasal epithelium in patients suffering from CRSsNP, CRSwNP with and without asthma or N-ERD (in absence of therapy with monoclonal antibodies). T Primary objective 2: Effect of dupilumab treatment on barrier function of the nasal epithelium in patients suffering from CRSwNP with and without asthma or N-ERD.

Inclusion criteria

• 18-99 years of age
• Willingness to participate in the study
• Suffer from chronic rhinosinusitis defined as in EPOS 2020 criteria, see main text
• Group 1 (n=20, CRSsNP): Absence of nasal polyps
• Group 2 (N=60, CRSwNP): Presence of nasal polyps as confirmed by endoscopy or CT and planned therapy with dupilumab
• Presence or absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (N-ERD)
• Patients with a history of treatment with monoclonal antibodies will only be included if at least a washout period of 6 months has passed

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy (as determined by ß-HCG test) or breast feeding
• Patients with severe anatomic variations or deviations that do not allow access to all areas in the nasal cavity
• Patients with cystic fibrosis or primary ciliary dyskinesia
• Patients with permanent immunosuppression
• A mental condition rendering the subject unable to understand the nature, scope, and possible consequences of the study
• Patients with clinically meaningful comorbidity as determined by the evaluating committee
• Patients with a history of exacerbation of chronic rhinosinusitis 4 weeks prior to the screening visit
• Intake of a burst of systemic corticosteroids for the treatment of CRS 4 weeks prior to the screening visit