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Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD), a highly pruritic, inflammatory skin disease, affects approximately 7% of adolescents globally. A topical formulation of ruxolitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) 1/JAK2 inhibitor, demonstrated safety and efficacy among adolescents/adults in two phase 3 studies (TRuE-AD1/TRuE-AD2)., Objective: To describe safety and efficacy of 1.5% ruxolitinib cream versus vehicle and long-term disease control of ruxolitinib cream among adolescents aged 12-17 years from pooled phase 3 study data., Methods: Patients [≥ 12 years old with AD for ≥ 2 years, Investigator's Global Assessment score (IGA) 2/3, and 3-20% affected body surface area (BSA) at baseline] were randomized 2:2:1 to ruxolitinib cream (0.75%/1.5%) or vehicle for 8 weeks of continuous use followed by a long-term safety (LTS) period up to 52 weeks with as-needed use. Patients originally applying vehicle were rerandomized 1:1 to 0.75%/1.5% ruxolitinib cream. Efficacy measures at week 8 included IGA treatment success (IGA-TS; i.e., score of 0/1 with ≥ 2 grade improvement from baseline), ≥ 75% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75), and ≥ 4-point improvement in itch numerical rating scale (NRS4). Measures of disease control during the LTS period included IGA score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) and percentage affected BSA. Safety was assessed throughout the study., Results: Of 1249 randomized patients, 245 (19.6%) were aged 12-17 years. Of these, 45 patients were randomized to vehicle and 92 patients to 1.5% ruxolitinib cream. A total of 104/137 (75.9%) patients continued on 1.5% ruxolitinib cream in the LTS period [82/92 (89.1%) continued on 1.5% ruxolitinib cream; 22/45 (48.9%) patients on vehicle were reassigned to 1.5% ruxolitinib cream], and 83/104 (79.8%) of these patients completed the LTS period. At week 8, substantially more patients who applied 1.5% ruxolitinib cream versus vehicle achieved IGA-TS (50.6% versus 14.0%), EASI-75 (60.9% versus 34.9%), and NRS4 (52.1% versus 17.4%; P = 0.009). The mean (SD) reduction in itch NRS scores was significantly greater in patients applying 1.5% ruxolitinib cream versus vehicle from day 2 [- 0.9 (1.9) versus -0.2 (1.4); P = 0.03]. During the LTS period, mean (SD) trough steady-state ruxolitinib plasma concentrations at weeks 12/52 were 27.2 (55.7)/15.5 (31.5) nM. The percentage of patients achieving IGA score of 0 or 1 was sustained or further increased with 1.5% ruxolitinib cream; mean affected BSA was generally low (< 3%; i.e., mild disease). Through 52 weeks, application site reactions occurred in 1.8% of adolescent patients applying 1.5% ruxolitinib cream at any time; no patients had serious adverse events. There were no serious infections, malignancies, major adverse cardiovascular events, or thromboembolic events., Conclusions: Meaningful anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects were demonstrated with 1.5% ruxolitinib cream in the subset of adolescent patients with AD, comparable with those observed in the overall study population; long-term, as-needed use maintained disease control and was well tolerated., Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers NCT03745638 (registered 19 November 2018) and NCT03745651 (registered 19 November 2018)., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Ruxolitinib cream demonstrated safety and efficacy over 8 weeks in 2 double-blind phase 3 atopic dermatitis studies (NCT03745638/NCT03745651)., Objective: To evaluate long-term safety (LTS) and disease control with ruxolitinib cream., Methods: Patients initially randomized to twice-daily 0.75%/1.5% ruxolitinib cream maintained their regimen during the 44-week LTS period (as-needed treatment). Patients on vehicle were rerandomized (1:1) at week 8 to either ruxolitinib cream strength. Safety and disease control (Investigator's Global Assessment score 0/1 and affected body surface area) were assessed., Results: Over 52 weeks, adverse events were reported in 67.4%/62.6%/53.5%/57.6% of patients in 0.75%/1.5% ruxolitinib cream/vehicle to 0.75% ruxolitinib cream/vehicle to 1.5% ruxolitinib cream groups (n = 426/446/101/99). Most common adverse events were upper respiratory tract infection (10.3%/11.4%/5.9%/7.1%) and nasopharyngitis (8.9%/9.9%/7.9%/14.1%). Most adverse events were considered unrelated to treatment. Application site reactions were infrequent (3.8%/1.8%/1.0%/1.0%). Disease control was achieved throughout the LTS; 74.1% to 77.8% of patients had Investigator's Global Assessment 0/1 at week 52, and mean affected body surface area was low (1.4%-1.8%)., Limitations: LTS had no control treatment., Conclusion: During 44 weeks of as-needed treatment, ruxolitinib cream demonstrated effective disease control and tolerability; low ruxolitinib plasma concentrations alongside safety findings reflecting known risk factors suggest physiologically meaningful systemic Janus kinase inhibition is highly unlikely., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest KP has received honoraria or clinical research grants as a consultant, speaker, scientific officer, advisory board member, and/or steering committee member for AbbVie, Akros, Amgen, Anacor, Arcutis, Astellas, Bausch Health/Valeant, Baxalta, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Can-Fite, Celgene, Coherus, Dermira, Dow Pharmaceuticals, EliLilly, Galderma, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Incyte Corporation, InflaRx, Janssen, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, LEO Pharma, Meiji Seika Pharma, Merck (MSD), Merck Serono, Mitsubishi Pharma, Moberg Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, PRCL Research, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis/Genzyme, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, and UCB. JCS has served as an advisor for AbbVie, LEO Pharma, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Pierre Fabre, and Trevi; has received speaker honoraria from AbbVie, EliLilly, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Sun Pharma; and has received clinical trial funding from AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Galapagos, Holm, Incyte Corporation, InflaRX, Janssen-Cilag, Menlo Therapeutics, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Trevi, and UCB. LK has served as an investigator, consultant, or speaker for AbbVie, Amgen, Anaptys, Arcutis, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Glenmark, Incyte Corporation, Kamedis, LEO Pharma, L'Oreal, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Ortho Dermatologics, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, and Taro. DT has served as an investigator for AbbVie, Amgen, Arcutis, Astellas, Astion, Avillion, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Dermira, DS BioPharma, Dow Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Galderma, GlaxoSmithKline, Incyte Corporation, Isotechnika, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, and UCB Biopharma. LFE has served as an investigator, consultant, speaker, or data safety monitoring board member for AbbVie, Almirall, Arcutis, Arena, Aslan, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Forte, Galderma, Ichnos/Glenmark, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Ortho Dermatologics, Otsuka, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi Genzyme.SBF has received honoraria, clinical research grants, or fees as a consultant, speaker, advisory board member, and/or investigator for AbbVie, Aclaris Therapeutics, Asana BioSciences, AstraZeneca, Athenex, Celgene Corporation, Cutanea Life Sciences, EliLilly, Incyte Corporation, Innovaderm Research, Novartis, Pfizer, Promius Pharma, Regeneron, UCB, Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America, and XBiotech. MEK was an employee and shareholder of Incyte Corporation at the time of the study. HK, KS, and HR are employees and shareholders of Incyte Corporation. ELS is an investigator for AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, LEO Pharma, Merck, Pfizer, and Regeneron and is a consultant with honorarium for AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Forte, Galderma, Incyte Corporation, LEO Pharma, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi Genzyme, and Valeant., (Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Therapies for children with atopic dermatitis (AD) have safety and tolerability concerns that may limit long-term use. Ruxolitinib cream, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, is effective and well tolerated in adolescents and adults with AD., Objective: To analyze the safety and tolerability of ruxolitinib cream in pediatric patients. Pharmacokinetics and efficacy were also evaluated in this phase 1 study (NCT03257644)., Methods: Patients aged 2 to 17 years with AD (affected body surface area 8%-20%; Investigator's Global Assessment score ≥2) were enrolled stepwise in 6 age-descending, strength-increasing cohorts to apply 0.5%, 0.75%, or 1.5% ruxolitinib cream twice daily for 28 days. Safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy were analyzed at baseline, week 2 (day 10), and week 4 (day 29)., Results: Among 71 patients, 44 (62.0%) had a baseline Investigator's Global Assessment score of 3; median (range) body surface area affected at baseline was 12.2% (1.7%-20.4%). Ruxolitinib cream was well tolerated, with 4 patients (5.6%) experiencing treatment-related adverse events (all grades 1/2). No clinically meaningful changes in mean chemistry or hematology values were observed, and no consistent pattern of change in bone biomarkers was detected. Mean plasma ruxolitinib levels within each cohort (range, 23.1-97.9 nM) were well below the half-maximal inhibitory concentration for thrombopoietin phosphorylation of STAT3 (281 nM). All cohorts experienced improvements in exploratory efficacy end points., Conclusion: Ruxolitinib cream was well tolerated in pediatric patients with AD, with no effect on blood counts or bone biomarkers. Mean plasma concentration was low. Efficacy was consistent with data from previous studies in adolescents and adults., Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03257644., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest AB has served as a speaker/received honoraria from AbbVie and UCB, served as a scientific adviser/received honoraria from AbbVie, Abcentra, Aligos, Almirall, Amgen, Anaptysbio, Arcutis, Arena, Aslan, Athenex, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Dermavant, EcoR1, Eli Lilly and Company, Evommune, Forte, Galderma, HighlightII Pharma, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, Landos, LEO Pharma, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Rapt, Regeneron, Sanofi Genzyme, Spherix Global Insights, Sun Pharma, UCB Pharma, Vibliome, and Xencor, and has acted as a clinical study investigator/received institutional clinical study funds from AbbVie, Amgen, Arcutis, Athenex, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Eli Lilly and Company, Galderma, Incyte, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sun Pharma, and UCB Pharma. JCS has served as an advisor for AbbVie, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Pierre Fabre, Menlo Therapeutics, and Trevi; has received speaker honoraria from AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Sanofi Genzyme, and Sun Pharma; and has received clinical trial funding from AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Galapagos, Holm, Incyte, InflaRX, Janssen-Cilag, Menlo Therapeutics, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Trevi, and UCB. KP has received honoraria or clinical research grants as a consultant, speaker, scientific officer, advisory board member, and/or steering committee member for AbbVie, Akros, Amgen, Anacor, Arcutis, Astellas, Bausch Health/Valeant, Baxalta, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Can-Fite, Celgene, Coherus, Dermira, Dow Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Incyte, InflaRx, Janssen, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, LEO Pharma, Meiji Seika Pharma, Merck (MSD), Merck Serono, Mitsubishi Pharma, Moberg Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, PRCL Research, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis/Genzyme, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, and UCB. ELS is an investigator for AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, LEO Pharma, Merck, Pfizer, and Regeneron and is a consultant with honorarium for AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Forte, Galderma, Incyte, LEO Pharma, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi Genzyme, and Valeant. JIS received honoraria for advisory board, speaker, and consultant services from AbbVie, Asana, Bluefin, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Dermavant, Dermira, Eli Lilly, Galderma, GlaxoSmithKline, Glenmark, Incyte, Kiniksa, LEO Pharma, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Pfizer, Realm, Regeneron, and Sanofi and research grants for investigator services from Galderma and GlaxoSmithKline. BSK has served as a consultant to AbbVie, Almirall, Amagma, Cara Therapeutics, Daewoong, Incyte, OM Pharma, and Pfizer; has served on advisory boards for AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cara Therapeutics, Celgene Corporation, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi Genzyme, and Trevi Therapeutics; is a shareholder in Locus Biosciences; and has a pending patent for JAK inhibitors in chronic itch. SGK is an advisory board member/consultant for AbbVie, Celldex Therapeutics, Galderma, Incyte, Johnson & Johnson, Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi and has served as an investigator for Galderma, Pfizer, and Sanofi. MEK and MEV were employees and shareholders of Incyte at the time of these studies. SW is an employee and shareholder of Incyte. LK has served as an investigator, consultant, or speaker for AbbVie, Amgen, Anaptys, Arcutis, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Glenmark, Incyte, Kamedis, LEO Pharma, L'Oreal, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Ortho Dermatologics, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, and Taro.

Background: Ruxolitinib cream is a topical formulation of ruxolitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) 1/JAK2 inhibitor., Objectives: To report timing and magnitude of effect of ruxolitinib cream on itch in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), a highly pruritic inflammatory skin disease., Methods: Two phase 3 trials (TRuE-AD1 [NCT03745638]/TRuE-AD2 [NCT03745651]) enrolled patients aged ≥12 years with AD for ≥2 years, Investigator's Global Assessment score of 2 or 3, and 3%-20% affected body surface area. Patients (total N = 1249; median age, 32 years) were randomised (2:2:1) to twice daily 0.75% ruxolitinib cream, 1.5% ruxolitinib cream or vehicle cream for 8 weeks of double-blinded treatment. Worst itch was measured using the numerical rating scale (NRS)., Results: Significantly more patients who applied ruxolitinib cream (either strength) achieved a ≥2-point itch reduction (NRS2) within approximately 12 h versus vehicle (0.75%/1.5% ruxolitinib cream, 16.3%/13.1%; vehicle, 6.9%; both P < 0.05), with further improvements through Week 8 (58.3%/65.1% vs 29.4%; both P < 0.0001). A ≥4-point itch reduction (NRS4) was achieved by significantly more patients who applied 0.75%/1.5% ruxolitinib cream versus vehicle by Day 2 (8.9%/11.2% vs 2.1%; P < 0.005); higher rates were observed at Week 8 (41.5%/51.5% vs 15.8%; P < 0.0001). Median time for the 0.75%/1.5% ruxolitinib cream groups to achieve NRS4 from baseline was 15.0/13.0 days; this endpoint was not reached by the vehicle group., Conclusions: Ruxolitinib cream demonstrated rapid improvement in itch in patients with mild to moderate AD that was sustained for 8 weeks. Significantly more patients applying ruxolitinib cream achieved itch NRS2 within approximately 12 h and itch NRS4 by Day 2 versus vehicle., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

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., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest Dr Papp has received honoraria or clinical research grants as a consultant, speaker, scientific officer, advisory board member, and/or Steering Committee member for AbbVie, Akros, Amgen, Anacor, Arcutis, Astellas, Bausch Health/Valeant, Baxalta, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Can-Fite, Celgene, Coherus, Dermira, Dow Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Genentech, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Incyte Corporation, InflaRx, Janssen, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, LEO, Medimmune, Meiji Seika Pharma, Merck (MSD), Merck Serono, Mitsubishi Pharma, Moberg Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, PRCL Research, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis/Genzyme, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, and UCB. Dr Szepietowski has served as an advisor for AbbVie, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Pierre Fabre, Menlo Therapeutics, and Trevi; has received speaker honoraria from AbbVie, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme, Sun Pharma, and Eli Lilly; and has received clinical trial funding from AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Galapagos, Holm, Incyte Corporation, InflaRX, Janssen-Cilag, Menlo Therapeutics, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Trevi, and UCB. Dr Kircik has served as an investigator, consultant, or speaker for AbbVie, Amgen, Anaptys, Arcutis, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Glenmark, Incyte Corporation, Kamedis, LEO Pharma, L’Oréal, Menlo, Novartis, Ortho Dermatologics, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, and Taro. Dr Toth has served as an investigator for AbbVie, Avillion, Amgen, Arcutis, Astellas, Astion, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Dermira, DS BioPharma, Dow Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Galderma, GlaxoSmithKline, Incyte Corporation, Isotechnika, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, and UCB Biopharma. Dr Eichenfield has served as an investigator, consultant, speaker, or data safety monitoring board member for AbbVie, Almirall, Arcutis, Dermira, Eli Lilly, Forte Biosciences, Galderma, Ichnos/Glenmark, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Ortho Dermatologics, Otsuka, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi Genzyme. Dr Leung has served as an advisor, investigator, or speaker for Incyte Corporation, LEO Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Aimmune, Novartis, Sanofi, and Regeneron. Dr Forman has received honoraria, clinical research grants, or fees as a consultant, speaker, advisory board member, and/or investigator for AbbVie, Aclaris Therapeutics, Asana BioSciences, AstraZeneca, Athenex, Celgene Corporation, Cutanea Life Sciences, Eli Lilly, Incyte Corporation, Innovaderm Research, Novartis, Pfizer, Promius Pharma, Regeneron, UCB, Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America, and XBiotech. Drs Venturanza, Sun, and Kuligowski are employees and shareholders of Incyte Corporation. Dr Simpson is an investigator for AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, LEO Pharma, Merck, Pfizer, and Regeneron and is a consultant with honorarium for AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Forte Bio, Galderma, Incyte Corporation, LEO Pharma, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi Genzyme, and Valeant., (Copyright © 2021 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) involves the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. A cream formulation of ruxolitinib, a potent selective JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, was developed for topical delivery., Method: Pharmacokinetic data were obtained from three double-blind, vehicle-controlled studies in patients with AD: a phase II study with ruxolitinib cream 0.15%, 0.5%, or 1.5% once daily or 1.5% twice daily (BID), and two phase III studies with 0.75% or 1.5% BID. Effects of baseline characteristics on pharmacokinetics were examined. Correlations were attempted between plasma concentrations and change in hematological parameters over time., Results: Ruxolitinib plasma concentrations at steady-state (C ss ) increased with cream strength in a less-than-dose-proportional manner. In the phase III studies, overall mean (standard deviation [SD]) C ss after ruxolitinib cream 0.75% and 1.5% BID (23.8 [35.0] and 35.7 [55.0] nM) were a fraction of the half-maximal inhibitory concentration for thrombopoietin-stimulated phosphorylated STAT3 inhibition (281 nM), a JAK/STAT signaling marker. Three covariates were identified for C ss : dose, percent body surface area (%BSA) treated, and baseline Investigator's Global Assessment score. Mean (SD) bioavailability of ruxolitinib cream 1.5% BID was 6.22% (7.66%). There were no correlations between C ss and any hematological changes except for a transient increase in platelets at week 2., Conclusions: Plasma ruxolitinib concentrations after treatment with topical ruxolitinib cream in patients with up to 20% BSA affected by AD are not expected to lead to systemic plasma concentrations that may be associated with adverse effects commonly associated with oral JAK inhibitors. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT03011892; NCT03745638; NCT03745651.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic, highly pruritic skin disorder, impairs quality of life (QoL). Janus kinase inhibitors suppress inflammatory and pruritus-associated cytokine signaling in AD., Objective: To report the effects of ruxolitinib (RUX) cream on itch and QoL in AD., Methods: A total of 307 adult patients with an Investigator's Global Assessment (score of 2 or 3) and 3% to 20% affected body surface area were randomly assigned for 8 weeks to receive double-blind treatment with RUX (1.5% twice daily, 1.5% once daily, 0.5% once daily, or 0.15% once daily), vehicle twice daily, or triamcinolone cream (0.1% twice daily for 4 weeks then vehicle for 4 weeks). Itch was measured by using the numerical rating scale, and patient QoL was assessed with Skindex-16., Results: Improvements in itch numerical rating scale and Skindex-16 were observed with RUX cream. Overall, 42.5% of patients who applied 1.5% RUX twice daily experienced minimal clinically important difference in itch within 36 hours of treatment (vehicle, 13.6%; P < .01); near-maximal improvement was observed by week 4. Itch reduction was associated with improved QoL burden (Pearson correlation, 0.67; P < .001). Significant improvements in Skindex-16 overall scores were noted at week 2., Limitations: Facial AD lesions were not treated., Conclusion: RUX cream provides a clinically meaningful reduction in itch and QoL burden., (Copyright © 2020 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly pruritic chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Ruxolitinib, a selective inhibitor of Janus kinase 1 and Janus kinase 2, potently suppresses cytokine signaling involved in AD pathogenesis., Objective: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib (RUX) cream in adults with AD., Methods: In this phase 2 study (NCT03011892), 307 adult patients with AD, an Investigator's Global Assessment score of 2 or 3 (mild or moderate), and 3% to 20% affected body surface area were equally randomized for 8 weeks of double-blind treatment to RUX (1.5% twice daily [BID], 1.5% once daily [QD], 0.5% QD, 0.15% QD), vehicle, or triamcinolone cream (0.1% BID for 4 weeks, then vehicle for 4 weeks). Subsequently, patients could apply 1.5% RUX BID for 4 additional weeks of open-label treatment. The primary end point was the comparison between 1.5% RUX cream BID and vehicle in mean percentage change from baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index at week 4., Results: All RUX regimens demonstrated therapeutic benefit at week 4; 1.5% BID provided the greatest improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (71.6% vs 15.5%; P < .0001) and Investigator's Global Assessment responses (38.0% vs 7.7%; P < .001) versus vehicle. Rapid reductions in the itch numerical rating scale score occurred within 36 hours (1.5% BID vs vehicle, ‒1.8 vs ‒0.2; P < .0001) and were sustained through 12 weeks. Patients who transitioned to 1.5% RUX BID improved in all measures. RUX was not associated with clinically significant application-site reactions., Conclusions: RUX cream provided rapid and sustained improvements in AD symptoms and was well tolerated., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)