Key clinical point: Abrocitinib was more effective than dupilumab in inducing early itch reduction and controlling disease severity in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) on background topical therapy.
Major finding: A significantly higher proportion of patients in the abrocitinib vs dupilumab group achieved ≥4-point improvement in the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale score at week 2 (48% vs 26%; P < .0001) and ≥90% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index at week 4 (29% vs 15%; P < .0001). Treatment-emergent adverse events were more frequent in the abrocitinib vs dupilumab group (74% vs 65%).
Study details: Findings are from a phase 3 trial including 727 adults with moderate-to-severe AD who showed inadequate response to medicated topical therapy and were randomly assigned to receive oral abrocitinib or subcutaneous dupilumab for 26 weeks.
Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer. Seven authors declared being current or former employees or shareholders of Pfizer or Pfizer Pharma. The other authors reported ties with several sources.
Source: Reich K et al. Efficacy and safety of abrocitinib versus dupilumab in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A randomised, double-blind, multicentre phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2022;400(10348):273-282 (Jul 23). Doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01199-0