Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis of the Head and Neck Region.

INTRODUCTION

Head and neck atopic dermatitis (AD) is difficult to treat. We evaluated the efficacy of upadacitinib versus placebo in patients with head and neck AD in a post hoc analysis of Measure Up 1 (NCT03569293) and Measure Up 2 (NCT03607422).

METHODS

Patients with head and neck AD (overall and stratified by baseline head and neck Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI]) received upadacitinib 15 mg, upadacitinib 30 mg, or placebo. Efficacy assessments included achievement of stringent targets (head and neck EASI ≤ 0.3 [almost clear], EASI 90 [near-complete clearance], EASI 100 [complete clearance], and patient-reported outcomes [PROs]) through week 16.

RESULTS

At week 16, more patients achieved head and neck EASI ≤ 0.3, EASI 90, and EASI 100 with upadacitinib 15 mg (46.8%, 41.9%, 29.1%) and upadacitinib 30 mg (58.0%, 56.5%, 42.4%) versus placebo (13.5%, 11.5%, 9.0%), respectively. Similar patterns, including PRO outcomes, were observed across head and neck AD severity subgroups. Total EASI head and neck median percentage reduction from baseline at week 16 was 87.8% for upadacitinib 15 mg and 96.3% for upadacitinib 30 mg.

CONCLUSIONS

Upadacitinib substantially improved skin and PRO outcomes in patients with head and neck AD, including those with moderate or severe baseline involvement.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Measure Up 1 (NCT03569293) and Measure Up 2 (NCT03607422).