Real-world clinical experience with ruxolitinib cream versus systemic therapies in patients with moderate atopic dermatitis in the United States

Why clinicians should know about it

• Picked for Dermatology (paper of the day, 10 September 2026): Ruxolitinib cream reduces BSA and severity in moderate AD

Abstract

PURPOSE: Ruxolitinib cream (Janus kinase [JAK]1/JAK2 inhibitor) was effective and well tolerated in clinical trials of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). We examined real-world outcomes among patients with moderate AD treated with ruxolitinib cream or systemic therapies. METHODS: Physician-reported data for adults with moderate AD (physician assessed at current treatment initiation) from the Adelphi AD Disease Specific Programme™ (August 2022-March 2023) were analyzed descriptively. Patients treated with ruxolitinib cream, traditional systemic immunosuppressants, oral JAK inhibitors, or biologics comprised 4 mutually exclusive cohorts. RESULTS: Among 619 patients (mean age, 39.1 y; 50% female; 79% White), mean affected body surface area (BSA) was reduced from treatment initiation by 49% with ruxolitinib cream, 35% with systemic immunosuppressants, 61% with oral JAK inhibitors, and 55% with biologics. Nearly half of patients (48.4%) had reduced physician-reported disease severity with ruxolitinib cream versus 6.3%, 51.5%, and 46.4% with systemic immunosuppressants, oral JAK inhibitors, and biologics, respectively. Results were similar among patients with baseline affected BSA ≤20%. CONCLUSIONS: Physician-reported outcomes show that ruxolitinib cream monotherapy substantially reduced the extent and severity of moderate AD, suggesting that it provides an effective topical treatment option in these specific populations.

Abstract as published, via PubMed.