In adolescents and adults with AD, ruxolitinib cream showed a rapid reduction in itch within about 12 hours of the first application.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) significantly impacts patient quality of life (QoL) and imposes a substantial economic burden. The itching was observed to be the most troublesome symptom of AD in individuals, affecting patients and their caretakers.
In adolescents and adults with AD, ruxolitinib cream showed rapid itch reduction within about 12 hours of the first application. These findings are reported in a study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
Rapid Relief of Itching With Ruxolitinib Cream
Within roughly 12 hours of the initial application of ruxolitinib cream, a significant reduction in itching was noted via the itch numerical rating scale (NRS) versus vehicle. Within 36 hours of the initial administration of ruxolitinib cream, an improvement of ≥4 points (NRS4) was found in certain individuals. Regardless of baseline demographic and clinical factors, itching improved.
Median time to achieve an itch NRS2 was substantially shorter for patients applying ruxolitinib cream as compared to vehicle, and cumulative incidence rates for itch NRS4 and NRS2 were significantly greater for ruxolitinib cream as compared to vehicle.
Ruxolitinib Cream Is Significantly Better Than Placebo
Nearly 80% of patients who used either dosage of ruxolitinib cream demonstrated lower itching at Week 8 compared to baseline, as measured by the 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) itch component of the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) tool, in contrast to 48% of patients who applied vehicle.
Ruxolitinib Can Improve Quality of Life
Itching is a hallmark symptom of AD with a significant negative influence on patient QoL and the disruption of the itch–scratch cycle with ruxolitinib cream early in the therapy period is anticipated to result in considerable improvement in QoL, including an improvement in sleep quality. Rapid relief of itching may significantly impact patient treatment compliance and motivation for medication; in fact, a low dropout rate (6.4% among patients who applied ruxolitinib cream at a concentration of 1.5%) was observed.
The timing and extent of itching alleviation associated with ruxolitinib cream treatment imply that it may considerably improve QoL and fulfill an unmet need among AD patients.
Source:
Blauvelt, A., Kircik, L., Papp, K. A., Simpson, E. L., Silverberg, J. I., Kim, B. S., Kwatra, S. G., Kuligowski, M. E., Venturanza, M. E., Wei, S., & Szepietowski, J. C. (2023). Rapid pruritus reduction with ruxolitinib cream treatment in patients with atopic dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 37(1), 137-146. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.18571
