The impact of abrocitinib treatment on lesion area and pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by intense itching and lesions that significantly impact patients' quality of life. Abrocitinib, a selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, has shown promise in treating AD by targeting inflammato...

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Main Authors: Xiao-Li Kou, Shi-Meng Ma, Jun-Jie Wang, Li-Fang Fan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:European Journal of Medical Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02873-0
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author Xiao-Li Kou
Shi-Meng Ma
Jun-Jie Wang
Li-Fang Fan
author_facet Xiao-Li Kou
Shi-Meng Ma
Jun-Jie Wang
Li-Fang Fan
author_sort Xiao-Li Kou
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by intense itching and lesions that significantly impact patients' quality of life. Abrocitinib, a selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, has shown promise in treating AD by targeting inflammatory pathways linked to disease symptoms. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of abrocitinib in reducing lesion severity and pruritus in AD patients. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library was conducted on September 19, 2024, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Included studies were randomized controlled trials assessing abrocitinib’s effects on lesion area and pruritus in AD patients. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Statistical analyses, including meta-regression and subgroup analysis, were conducted using Stata. Funnel plots were examined to assess publication bias. Results Five studies met inclusion criteria, with sample sizes ranging from 267 to 837 participants. Abrocitinib significantly improved Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) and Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) scores, as well as pruritus scores on the Pruritus Patient Numeric Rating Scale (PP-NRS), compared to placebo (all P < 0.001). A dose–response effect was observed, with higher efficacy at the 200 mg dose. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was higher in the intervention group, particularly at 200 mg, though no significant difference was noted in serious adverse events (SAEs) between groups. Conclusions Abrocitinib is effective in reducing lesion severity and pruritus in AD, with dose-dependent improvements. Despite a higher incidence of manageable TEAEs at 200 mg, no significant increase in SAEs was observed, supporting abrocitinib’s safety and efficacy as a treatment for moderate to severe AD. Registration: CRD420251056272.
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spelling doaj-art-a8358766a7c44a5c936723d4621d0fe32025-08-20T03:42:20ZengBMCEuropean Journal of Medical Research2047-783X2025-07-0130111110.1186/s40001-025-02873-0The impact of abrocitinib treatment on lesion area and pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysisXiao-Li Kou0Shi-Meng Ma1Jun-Jie Wang2Li-Fang Fan3Dermatology Department, Hebei Academy of Chinese Medicine SciencesDermatology Department, Hebei Academy of Chinese Medicine SciencesDermatology Department, Hebei Academy of Chinese Medicine SciencesDermatology Department, Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineAbstract Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by intense itching and lesions that significantly impact patients' quality of life. Abrocitinib, a selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, has shown promise in treating AD by targeting inflammatory pathways linked to disease symptoms. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of abrocitinib in reducing lesion severity and pruritus in AD patients. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library was conducted on September 19, 2024, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Included studies were randomized controlled trials assessing abrocitinib’s effects on lesion area and pruritus in AD patients. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Statistical analyses, including meta-regression and subgroup analysis, were conducted using Stata. Funnel plots were examined to assess publication bias. Results Five studies met inclusion criteria, with sample sizes ranging from 267 to 837 participants. Abrocitinib significantly improved Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) and Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) scores, as well as pruritus scores on the Pruritus Patient Numeric Rating Scale (PP-NRS), compared to placebo (all P < 0.001). A dose–response effect was observed, with higher efficacy at the 200 mg dose. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was higher in the intervention group, particularly at 200 mg, though no significant difference was noted in serious adverse events (SAEs) between groups. Conclusions Abrocitinib is effective in reducing lesion severity and pruritus in AD, with dose-dependent improvements. Despite a higher incidence of manageable TEAEs at 200 mg, no significant increase in SAEs was observed, supporting abrocitinib’s safety and efficacy as a treatment for moderate to severe AD. Registration: CRD420251056272.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02873-0Atopic dermatitisAbrocitinibJAK1 inhibitorLesion severityPruritusMeta-analysis
spellingShingle Xiao-Li Kou
Shi-Meng Ma
Jun-Jie Wang
Li-Fang Fan
The impact of abrocitinib treatment on lesion area and pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
European Journal of Medical Research
Atopic dermatitis
Abrocitinib
JAK1 inhibitor
Lesion severity
Pruritus
Meta-analysis
title The impact of abrocitinib treatment on lesion area and pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full The impact of abrocitinib treatment on lesion area and pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr The impact of abrocitinib treatment on lesion area and pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed The impact of abrocitinib treatment on lesion area and pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short The impact of abrocitinib treatment on lesion area and pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort impact of abrocitinib treatment on lesion area and pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Atopic dermatitis
Abrocitinib
JAK1 inhibitor
Lesion severity
Pruritus
Meta-analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02873-0
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