Oral JAK1 Inhibitor Improves Symptoms in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Abrocitinib, a Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) selective inhibitor, improved atopic dermatitis (AD) across body regions including the head and neck, according to new findings in Dermatologic Therapy.

“AD can affect multiple body regions and is especially burdensome when involving exposed skin areas,” authors noted. “Rapid, effective treatment of AD across body regions remains an unmet need, particularly for difficult-to-treat areas such as the head and neck area.”

Researchers conducted a post hoc analysis of data from the phase 3 JADE COMPARE randomized clinical trial. The trial was designed to determine efficacy and safety profiles of abrocitinib and dupilumab among adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were also receiving topical therapy.

EASI-75 was reached at a median of 29 days across body regions with oral abrocitinib administered at 200 mg once-daily. At a dosage of 100 mg once-daily, abrocitinib resulted in EASI-75 at a median 30-32 days for the trunk and lower limbs and 56-57 days for the head, neck, and upper limbs.

After 2 weeks of treatment, 100 mg and 200 mg abrocitinib both resulted in greater improvements in EASI body region scores compared to placebo (P < .0001). Results were sustained at 16 weeks. 

“Rapid and persistent improvement in AD across all body regions was observed with abrocitinib treatment. Abrocitinib may be useful in patients with AD that affects difficult-to-treat anatomical areas or who require a rapid response,” researchers concluded.

Reference:
Alexis A, de Bruin-Weller M, Weidinger S, et al. Rapidity of improvement in signs/symptoms of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis by body region with abrocitinib in the phase 3 JADE COMPARE study. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). Published online March 17, 2022. doi:10.1007/s13555-022-00694-1