New Studies Highlight JAK Inhibitors’ Power as AD Treatment

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have demonstrated significant improvements in disease severity and symptom control for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), reinforcing their potential as viable treatment options. Recent studies presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, including a real-world analysis of ruxolitinib cream and a phase 3 clinical trial evaluating abrocitinib, provide strong evidence supporting their effectiveness in moderate to severe AD.^1,2

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have demonstrated significant improvements in disease severity and symptom control for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), reinforcing their potential as viable treatment options. | Image Credit: Pormezz - stock.adobe.com

Real-World Assessment of Ruxolitinib Cream

Ruxolitinib cream demonstrated clinical benefits on par with systemic therapies for moderate AD, according to real-world physician-reported outcomes.¹

The study analyzed data from the Adelphi Atopic Dermatitis Disease-Specific Programme (wave 3, August 2022–March 2023). The program included 619 adults with moderate AD: 122 treated with ruxolitinib cream, 80 with systemic immunosuppressants, 264 with oral JAK inhibitors, and 153 with biologics.

Patients using ruxolitinib cream saw their affected body surface area (BSA) decrease from 16.5% to 8.5% over an average of 7.4 months, with 48.4% experiencing a reduction in disease severity. The improvements were similar to those observed with oral JAK inhibitors (51.5%) and biologics (46.4%), while only 6.3% of patients on systemic immunosuppressants reported the same benefit.

For managed care decision-makers, the findings highlight ruxolitinib cream’s potential as a valuable topical alternative, particularly for patients who may not yet require systemic treatment.

Clinical Efficacy of Abrocitinib in Moderate to Severe AD

A post hoc analysis of the phase 3 JADE COMPARE trial evaluated the efficacy of oral abrocitinib 100 mg vs dupilumab and placebo in achieving stringent clinical outcomes.² The study included 238 patients receiving abrocitinib, 242 receiving dupilumab, and 131 on placebo, all of whom used concomitant topical medicated therapy.

By week 2, a higher proportion of patients achieved a composite response of at least 90% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-90) and a Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale score of 0 or 1 with abrocitinib compared with dupilumab or placebo. At week 16, 20.2% of abrocitinib-treated patients achieved this stringent outcome vs 15.5% for dupilumab and 5.4% for placebo. Additionally, more patients on abrocitinib reached 100% skin clearance (EASI-100) and an Investigator’s Global Assessment score of 0 compared with those on dupilumab or placebo.

The authors said that the superior efficacy of abrocitinib in achieving stringent treatment goals may suggest that abrocitinib could serve as an effective alternative to dupilumab, offering a strong therapeutic option for patients requiring systemic treatment.

References

1. Liu J, Howell O, Piercy J, Anderson P, Sturm D. Real-world clinical experience with ruxolitnib cream vs systemic therapies in patients with moderate topic dermatitis in the United States. Presented at: AMCP 2025; March 31-April 3, 2025; Houston, TX. Poster L1.

2. Weidinger S, Silverberg J, Markis M, et al. Stringent efficacy response of skin clearance and itch-free state with abrocitinib 100 mg versus dupilumab in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis: a post hoc analysis of JADE COMPARE. Presented at: AMCP 2025; March 31-April 3, 2025; Houston, TX. Poster L7.