Crisaborole Topical Ointment, 2%, a novel nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory, topical, phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, reduced pruritus and signs of atopic dermatitis in 2 phase 3 studies in children and adults with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Abstract Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease with intense pruritus and eczematous lesions. Crisaborole Topical Ointment, 2% (Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Palo Alto, CA), is an investigational, nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory, topical, phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor for the treatment of AD. Here, we present the impact of crisaborole on pruritus and signs of AD evaluated as supportive efficacy endpoints for 2 Phase 3 studies (301, 302). Patients ≥2 years old with mild-to-moderate AD were enrolled in 2 double-blind, vehicle-controlled, multicenter Phase 3 studies of identical design. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive crisaborole or vehicle twice daily for 28 days. Supportive efficacy endpoints examined severity of pruritus (measured twice daily) and signs of AD (measured weekly) on a 4-point scale (None [0] to Severe [3]). Success was defined for pruritus or each sign or symptom of AD as achievement of None (0) or Mild (1) with ≥1-grade improvement from baseline. Improvement in pruritus was achieved sooner in crisaborole-treated patients than vehicle-treated patients (pooled data: median, 1.37 vs 1.70 days; P = 0.001). A greater proportion of crisaborole-treated patients achieved success for all clinical signs of AD by Day 29 (301, 302; erythema: 62.8% vs 46.1%; 54.9% vs 33.9%; induration/papulation: 57.7% vs 54.8%; −51.9% vs 40.2%; exudation: 41.0% vs 33.3%; 38.1% vs 27.2%; excoriation: 63.0% vs 51.8%; 57.2% vs 44.2%; lichenification: 51.7% vs 46.5%; 51.4% vs 35.3%). In 2 large Phase 3 studies, crisaborole demonstrated early relief of pruritus and showed improvement in all measured signs of AD. Crisaborole Topical Ointment, 2%, may represent a safe and efficacious treatment for patients ≥2 years with mild-to-moderate AD.