Network Meta-analysis of 1.5% Ruxolitinib Cream Versus Systemic Agents in the Treatment of Moderate Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, highly pruritic, relapsing inflammatory disease associated with high quality-of-life burden. Topical 1.5% ruxolitinib cream is a selective Janus kinase (JAK)1/JAK2 inhibitor that is well tolerated and effective in improving itch and lesion clearance in patients ≥ 12 years old. This analysis estimates comparative efficacy for 1.5% ruxolitinib cream relative to systemic therapies for treatment of patients ≥ 12 years with AD.

A systematic literature review (SLR) identified randomized controlled trials evaluating 1.5% ruxolitinib cream, oral JAK inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors, and systemic immunosuppressants. A feasibility assessment evaluated whether indirect treatment comparison (ITC) was appropriate and determined appropriate ITC methods. This network meta-analysis (NMA) assessed the comparative efficacy of 1.5% ruxolitinib cream against systemic therapies in a "systemic-eligible moderate AD" subgroup defined as ≥ 12 years old and eligible for topical and systemic therapies (Investigator's Global Assessment [IGA] = 3, Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI] ≥ 16, and body surface area ≥ 10%); an ITC with the full study populations was not feasible. A frequentist framework using a penalized likelihood NMA included outcomes of IGA 0/1 with at least a 2-point improvement from baseline, EASI-75, and Itch Numerical Rating Scale 4 (NRS4).

The SLR identified 25 studies, of which 12 reported outcomes for the relevant subgroup for four interventions: 1.5% ruxolitinib cream, dupilumab 300 mg, upadacitinib (15 mg, 30 mg), and abrocitinib (100 mg, 200 mg), which were compared against placebo or placebo + topical corticosteroids. There were no statistically significant differences between active comparators for IGA 0/1, EASI-75, and Itch NRS4, although point estimates numerically favored 1.5% ruxolitinib cream for IGA 0/1 and EASI‑75.

For patients with moderate AD who are eligible for systemic therapies, 1.5% ruxolitinib cream might provide disease control comparable to systemic treatments, such as dupilumab, regarding IGA 0/1, EASI-75, and Itch NRS4.