Developing a JAK Inhibitor for Targeted Local Delivery: Ruxolitinib Cream

The document reviewed the development of ruxolitinib cream, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, for targeted local delivery to treat immune-mediated dermatologic diseases like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata. The cream, developed by Incyte Corporation, was designed as an oil-in-water emulsion for effective skin absorption, showing a 507-fold higher concentration in the dermis compared to oral dosing in preclinical studies. Clinical trials demonstrated its efficacy in improving psoriasis lesions, increasing treatment success in atopic dermatitis, and improving facial vitiligo severity, though it did not show significant hair regrowth in alopecia areata. The cream was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events, highlighting its potential as a novel therapy for inflammatory skin conditions by inhibiting the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.