Abrocitinib is an oral small molecule which selectively inhibits JAK1, modulating multiple cytokine pathways involved in atopic dermatitis. Both abrocitinib 200 mg and 100 mg reached efficacy results comparable to dupilumab and superior to placebo. Abrocitinib 200 mg was superior to dupilumab in some trials, consistently providing a faster response and itch relief from week 2 to 26. Continuous abrocitinib 200 mg is the most effective at controlling this disease, but with an induction-maintenance approach with abrocitinib 200 mg followed by 100 mg, over 55% of patients did not flare for 40 weeks. Abrocitinib common adverse effects are nonserious. A self-limited dose-related decrease in platelet counts was consistently observed, without clinical repercussion. Abrocitinib demonstrated high efficacy and a favorable safety profile.
Keywords: JAK inhibitor; JAK1; abrocitinib; atopic dermatitis; small molecule.
Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema, a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. Abrocitinib is a medication taken orally (by mouth) that specifically targets JAK1, a protein involved in inter- (within cells) and intracellular (between cells) pathways that cause atopic dermatitis. Both the 200 mg and 100 mg doses of abrocitinib were effective compared with a placebo, a substance that looks like the treatment drug but doesn't have any of its chemical effects. Abrocitinib 200 mg was even better than dupilumab, another recently available injectable treatment option, especially by reducing itch from week 2. Using continuous abrocitinib 200 mg showed the best results for controlling the disease. However, an approach of starting with abrocitinib 200 mg and then reducing it to 100 mg also worked well, with over 55% of patients not experiencing a worsening of their condition for 40 weeks. The most common side effects of abrocitinib are not serious. There was a temporary decrease in platelet counts, tiny blood cells that help your body form clots to stop bleeding, but this did not cause any clinical issues. It has also proven effectiveness and safety in adolescents from 12 years of age. Overall, abrocitinib was highly effective and had a positive safety profile.