Efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib cream for the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Results from 2 phase 3, randomized, double-blind studies

Kim Papp, Jacek C. Szepietowski, Leon Kircik, Darryl Toth, Lawrence F. Eichenfield, Donald Y.M. Leung, Seth B. Forman, May E. Venturanza, Kang Sun, Michael E. Kuligowski, Eric L. Simpson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

137 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Ruxolitinib (RUX) cream demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory and antipruritic efficacy in a phase 2 study in adults with atopic dermatitis (AD). Objective: To evaluate 8-week efficacy and safety in 2 phase 3 studies of RUX cream in patients with AD. Methods: Topical Ruxolitinib Evaluation in Atopic Dermatitis Study 1 (NCT03745638) and Study 2 (NCT03745651) enrolled patients aged ≥12 years with AD for ≥2 years, an Investigator's Global Assessment score of 2/3, and 3%-20% affected body surface area. Patients were randomized 2:2:1 to twice-daily 0.75% RUX cream, 1.5% RUX cream, or vehicle cream for 8 continuous weeks. The primary endpoint was Investigator's Global Assessment treatment success at week 8 (Investigator's Global Assessment score of 0/1 and ≥2-grade improvement from baseline). Results: In the Topical Ruxolitinib Evaluation in Atopic Dermatitis Study 1 and 2, 631 and 618 patients were randomized (631/577 analyzed for efficacy). Significantly more patients achieved Investigator's Global Assessment treatment success with 0.75% RUX cream (50.0%/39.0%) and 1.5% RUX cream (53.8%/51.3%) versus vehicle (15.1%/7.6%; P < .0001) at week 8. Significant itch reductions versus vehicle were reported within 12 hours of first application of 1.5% RUX (P < .05). Application site reactions were infrequent (<1%) and lower with RUX versus vehicle; none were clinically significant. Limitations: Longer-term safety data are not yet available. Conclusions: RUX cream showed anti-inflammatory and prompt antipruritic effects with superior efficacy versus vehicle and was well tolerated.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)863-872
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Volume85
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2021

Keywords

  • JAK inhibitor
  • Janus kinase
  • atopic dermatitis
  • itch
  • ruxolitinib
  • topical

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib cream for the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Results from 2 phase 3, randomized, double-blind studies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this