Study Shows RINVOQ® Effective for Atopic Dermatitis in Head and Neck

AbbVie recently announced promising results from a post-hoc analysis of the Measure Up 1 and Measure Up 2 Phase 3 studies, which assessed the efficacy of RINVOQ® (upadacitinib) in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) with varying severity in the head and neck regions. The study revealed significant positive outcomes in terms of skin clearance, itch resolution, and the overall impact on patients' quality of life over a 16-week period.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory condition that often manifests intensely in the head and neck areas, significantly affecting patients' lives. Observational studies indicate a high prevalence of AD in these specific regions, emphasizing the need for effective treatment options. According to data from the UP-TAINED and AD-VISE studies, 70% and at least 74.5% of patients had head and neck involvement at baseline, respectively.

The post-hoc analysis evaluated the efficacy of upadacitinib in doses of 15 mg and 30 mg against a placebo. Patients were stratified based on the severity of their head and neck AD at the start of the study. Several stringent treatment targets were assessed, including achieving nearly complete skin clearance in the head and neck area, overall skin clearance, minimal itch, and minimal or no impact on quality of life. These targets were analyzed across subgroups of patients with no-to-mild, moderate, or severe head and neck involvement.

Dr. Kilian Eyerich, a prominent figure in dermatology from the University of Freiburg, highlighted the significance of these findings. He noted that, at 16 weeks, RINVOQ demonstrated efficacy in achieving optimal treatment targets, such as combined measures of EASI 90 and WP-NRS 0/1, and notable improvements in patients' quality of life as measured by DLQI 0/1.

The study showed that a higher proportion of patients treated with upadacitinib reached these optimal treatment goals compared to those on placebo. Specifically, upadacitinib outperformed placebo in achieving near-complete skin clearance in the head and neck region, minimal or no impact on quality of life, and minimal disease activity, marked by the combination of near-complete skin clearance and little to no itch.

Andrew Anisfeld, vice president of global medical affairs in immunology at AbbVie, reiterated the importance of these findings. He pointed out that despite efforts to manage their condition, many AD patients continue to suffer from severe symptoms, especially in visible areas like the head and neck, which can exacerbate physical and emotional burdens. The data from this study support AbbVie’s commitment to improving care standards for atopic dermatitis patients, aiming for the best possible outcomes.

In addition to the Measure Up studies, AbbVie will present further data supporting upadacitinib's efficacy and safety profile for moderate-to-severe AD at the upcoming European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Amsterdam. Among the presentations will be the LEVEL UP study, which compares the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib and dupilumab in adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe AD who had an inadequate response to systemic therapy.

Other significant studies include an interim analysis of the AD-VISE study, showcasing upadacitinib's effectiveness and durability in real-world settings, and baseline criteria from the UP-TAINED study, which evaluates real-world use of upadacitinib in Germany.

Atopic dermatitis affects a significant portion of the population, with varying degrees of severity. The chronic nature of the disease, characterized by intense itching and skin damage, places a substantial burden on patients physically, emotionally, and economically.

The Measure Up 1 and Measure Up 2 studies are pivotal Phase 3 trials designed to assess the safety and efficacy of RINVOQ in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe AD who are candidates for systemic treatment. These studies aim to establish new benchmarks in the management of atopic dermatitis, particularly in difficult-to-treat regions such as the head and neck.