Crisaborole Ointment Effective for Atopic Dermatitis Regardless of Treatment History
– Ointment also proven safe across all subgroups in very young patients
Crisaborole ointment (Eucrisa) is safe and effective for treating mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) in patients older than age 2 -- regardless of whether patients were treatment-experienced or treatment-naïve.
That was the conclusion of a post-hoc analysis published in the journal .
Crisaborole ointment was in 2016 for the treatment of eczema. The most common side effects are hypersensitivity reactions and application site pain, including burning or stinging.
In the current analysis, a significantly higher percentage of patients who were treated with crisaborole achieved improvements in their condition based on the Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) scale when compared with vehicle -- regardless of treatment history. Similarly, many patients treated with crisaborole also saw significant improvements based on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), and Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) scales compared with those who received vehicle -- again regardless of treatment history.
The report's first author, Linda Stein Gold, MD, is director of dermatology clinical research and division head of dermatology at the Henry Ford Health System in Michigan. Her exchange with the Reading Room has been edited for length and clarity.
What was the impetus behind this investigation?
Stein Gold: Crisaborole ointment, 2%, is a nonsteroidal phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor approved for the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD in adult and pediatric patients ages 3 months and older. It has a favorable safety profile with no boxed warning. There is no limitation on body surface area or duration of use.
This post-hoc analysis comprised patients aged over age 2 years with mild-to-moderate AD. Patients were assigned (2:1) to receive crisaborole or vehicle twice daily for 28 days. This study looked to see whether there was a difference in safety and efficacy in patients who had received prior treatments.
What was the key finding?
Stein Gold: Crisaborole demonstrated a favorable efficacy and safety profile in both treatment-experienced and treatment-naive patients. The ointment was also well tolerated in all subgroups.
The exception to this finding were DLQI and DFI scores for patients in the treatment-naïve group.
Did anything surprise you about the analysis itself or the results?
Stein Gold: I was not surprised by the findings as they mirror what I have seen in clinical practice.
What are the take-home messages for dermatologists?
Stein Gold: Crisaborole can be used in patients regardless of prior treatment history for mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. Crisaborole was also safe and well tolerated among all patient subgroups.
Data from this analysis could assist in personalizing the sequencing of therapy, especially when attempting to avoid certain adverse effects associated with conventional therapies.
Stein Gold has received grants from Pfizer, Inc., Incyte, and LEO Pharma and payment for lectures from Pfizer, Inc. and LEO Pharma.
Primary Source
Dermatitis
Source Reference: