The treatment was linked with reduced abscess and inflammatory nodule counts.

Data from a new phase 2 trial indicate twice-daily ruxolitinib cream, 1.5% (Opzelura^TM, Incyte) in adult patients with Hurley stage 1 or 2 (mild-to-moderate) hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) was safe and effective.

The primary endpoint of the study was achieved, with patients on treatment with ruxolitinib seeing reductions in abscess and inflammatory nodule (AN) count versus vehicle control (least squares mean change of -3.61 for ruxolitinib versus -2.42 for vehicle control; P<0.05). Additionally, secondary endpoints were also achieved, with more than three-quarters of patients achieving at least a 50% reduction in AN count, 54.2% achieving a 75% reduction in AN count, 20.8% achieving a 90% reduction in AN count, and 20.8% achieving total clearance (100%), all of which surpassed the percentages achieved with vehicle.

Ruxolitinib cream was well-tolerated, with treatment-emergent adverse events occurring in 38.2% of patients using ruxolitinib versus 42.9% of patients receiving vehicle.

“There is still a large gap in available treatment options in Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), particularly for patients who have milder disease,” Martina J. Porter, MD, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and a lead investigator on the study, told Practical Dermatology. “Today’s Phase 2 results are encouraging and reinforce the safety and efficacy profile of ruxolitinib cream 1.5%, with improvements seen across the primary and select secondary endpoints in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a debilitating, incurable skin condition. The data also showed higher responses for HiSCR (Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response) in the topical ruxolitinib group versus placebo.”

Source: Porter M. Efficacy and Safety of Ruxolitinib Cream in Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Hurley Stage I and II): Results From a Randomized, Double-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled Phase 2 Study. Session S050. Presented at: American Academy of Dermatology 2024 Annual Meeting; March 8-12, 2024; San Diego.

Disclosures

Dr. Porter reports the following relationships: AbbVie –Consultant (1099 relationship)(No Compensation Received), Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Alumis – Consultant(Fees); AnaptysBio – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Bayer – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – Other(Patent royalties or other compensation for Intellectual Property Rights); Bristol-Myers Squibb – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Eli Lilly – Consultant (1099 relationship)(No Compensation Received); Eli Lilly and Company – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Incyte Corporation – Consultant(No Compensation Received), Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Janssen Research & Development, LLC – Consultant(Fees); Moonlake – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); MoonLake Immunotherapeutics – Consultant (1099 relationship)(No Compensation Received); National Psoriasis Foundation – Speaker(Honoraria); Novartis – Consultant(Fees), Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Oasis Pharmaceuticals – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Pfizer Inc. – Consultant(Fees), Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Prometheus Laboratories, Inc. – Consultant (1099 relationship)(No Compensation Received), Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Regeneron – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Sanofi – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Fees), Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Sonoma Biotherapeutics – Consultant (1099 relationship)(No Compensation Received), Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Trifecta Clinical – Consultant(Fees); UCB – Consultant(Fees), Investigator(Grants/Research Funding)