For patients with atopic dermatitis, a greater percentage achieve an itch-free state with use of ruxolitinib cream versus vehicle, according to a study published online Sept. 13 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology .

Andrew Blauvelt, M.D., from the Oregon Medical Research Center in Portland, and colleagues examined achievement of an itch-free state among 1,208 patients with atopic dermatitis and baseline itch who received ruxolitinib cream; 41 patients were excluded for quality issues.

The researchers found that the percentage of patients who applied ruxolitinib cream and achieved an itch-free state was higher than the percentage seen among those who applied vehicle. The difference in itch numerical rating scale (NRS) 0/1 for ruxolitinib compared with vehicle was significant on day 2 (about 36 hours after the first application); significance persisted through week 8. The median time to achieve itch NRS 0/1 was 14.0 and 9.0 days for ruxolitinib 0.75 and 1.5 percent, respectively, compared with not estimable for vehicle. Of the factors examined, the only factor significantly associated with faster itch response was age (younger than 18 years versus 18 years and older; hazard ratio, 0.754).

"These results demonstrate that ruxolitinib cream addresses an unmet need by rapidly improving itch, a chronic and burdensome symptom, in adults and adolescents with atopic dermatitis," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Incyte, which manufactures ruxolitinib and funded the study.

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