Brepocitinib cream works in mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis

The topical cream brepocitinib, a small molecule tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor), appears to be effective in the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) while being well tolerated, according to the results of a double-blind, dose-ranging phase IIb trial.

The trial randomized 292 patients to receive one of the following treatments: brepocitinib 0.1% once daily (QD), 0.3% QD or twice daily (BID), 1.0% QD or BID, 3.0% QD, or vehicle QD or BID. Treatment lasted 6 weeks.

Researchers evaluated the percent change from baseline in eczema area and severity index (EASI) total score at week 6 as the primary study endpoint. They also monitored adverse events (AEs) throughout the trial.

EASI total score at week 6 showed the greatest improvement (with multiplicity-adjusted p<0·05 due to Hochberg’s step-up method) in the brepocitinib 1% QD group (least squares mean, –70.1, 90 percent confidence interval [CI], –82.1 to –58.0) and in the 1% BID group (least squares mean, –75.0, 90 percent CI, –83.8 to –66.2).

The observed changes were statistically significant relative to the changes observed in the respective vehicle arm (QD: least squares mean, –44.4, 90 percent CI, –57.3 to –31.6; BID: least squares mean, –47.6, 90 percent CI, –57.5 to –37.7).

There was no dose-dependent trend detected in the frequency of AEs, and none of the patients experienced serious AEs or died.