Researchers have characterized the occurrence of acne in patients with atopic dermatitis treated with the JAK inhibitor upadacitinib, according to a study published by Hayashi et al in Dermatology and Therapy. In a post hoc analysis, researchers analyzed the incidence of treatment-emergent acne events in the phase III Rising Up study, which involved 272 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis receiving 15 mg or 30 mg of upadacitinib or placebo. After a follow-up of 52 weeks, the researchers found that the patients who received upadacitinib were more likely to develop acne compared with those who received placebo. Further, the incidence rate of acne was higher in the 30-mg upadacitinib group (32.4%) vs the 15-mg upadacitinib group (17.3%). The researchers noted that the mean time period of acne onset was 135.4 days following treatment initiation, and that the acne flares occurred mostly on the face as mild or moderate inflammatory papules. However, the cases were readily managed with topical drugs.
September 06, 2023