Clinically relevant improvements in adults and adolescents with atopic dermatitis who did not achieve Investigator's Global Assessment treatment success following 8 weeks of ruxolitinib cream monotherapy

Ruxolitinib cream is a topical formulation of ruxolitinib, a selective inhibitor of Janus kinase (JAK) 1 and JAK2. In two phase 3 studies in adults and adolescents (aged ≥12 years) with atopic dermatitis (AD; TRuE-AD1/TRuE-AD2), significantly more patients who applied ruxolitinib cream versus vehicle cream achieved Investigator's Global Assessment treatment success (IGA-TS; IGA score of 0/1 with ≥2-point improvement from baseline) at week 8 (primary endpoint). This post hoc analysis evaluated the efficacy, safety, and disease control of ruxolitinib cream in patients with AD who did not achieve IGA-TS at week 8. Patients in TRuE-AD1/TRuE-AD2 (N = 1249) were randomized 2:2:1 to apply twice-daily 0.75% ruxolitinib cream, 1.5% ruxolitinib cream, or vehicle cream for 8 weeks followed by a long-term safety period in which patients applied ruxolitinib cream as needed. In this pooled analysis, clinically meaningful response thresholds included ≥50% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index, ≥2-point reduction in the Itch Numerical Rating Scale, ≥4-point improvement in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) or ≥6-point improvement in Children's DLQI, and ≥1-point reduction in IGA from baseline. Among patients who did not achieve IGA-TS at week 8 (n = 584), significantly more patients who applied either strength ruxolitinib cream versus vehicle achieved each response threshold at week 8. A response in ≥1 clinically meaningful endpoint was achieved in significantly more patients who applied ruxolitinib cream (93.4%/90.9% for 0.75%/1.5% ruxolitinib cream, respectively) versus vehicle (69.0%, both P < 0.0001). Progressive improvements in disease control were observed, with many patients achieving IGA-TS by week 52 (55.2%/56.3% for 0.75%/1.5% ruxolitinib cream, respectively). Ruxolitinib cream was well tolerated during the 52-week study in this patient population. Taken together, these results demonstrate that most patients with AD who did not achieve IGA-TS at week 8 have clinically meaningful responses to ruxolitinib cream, and continued therapy beyond 8 weeks could result in additional benefit.