LB987 Tapinarof inhibits the formation, cytokine production, and persistence of resident memory T cells in vitro

Abstract

Tapinarof, a novel, first-in-class small-molecule topical therapy with combined aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist and antioxidant activities, is effective in the treatment of both psoriasis (PsO) (NCT03956355; NCT03983980; NCT04053387) and atopic dermatitis (AD) (NCT02564055). In previous experiments in culture, tapinarof increased keratinocyte expression of skin barrier proteins and reduced T cell production of IL-17A and IL-17F. Psoriasis patients in phase 3 trials who cleared after topical tapinarof remained clear for a median of four months after therapy was discontinued, as defined by a PGA of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) while off therapy after achieving complete disease clearance (PSOARING studies 1, 2, and 3).