Essential AAD Late Breakers That Could Change Your Practice

The late breaking research presented at this year's Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting highlighted some of the most exciting developments in dermatology this year.

In this roundup, we’ve pulled together key takeaways from multiple studies, giving you a comprehensive look at the latest research and trends. Stay ahead of the curve with insights that could shape your practice and patient care, and explore full Dermatology Times coverage of the meeting here.

Tapinarof Extends Symptom-Free Periods in Patients with AD

Company: Organon

Study/Drug: ADORING 3 study / Tapinarof (VTAMA) cream, 1%

Condition/Disease State: Atopic dermatitis

Key Findings: The ADORING 3 study revealed that tapinarof cream 1% maintained low disease activity in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) for a mean of 79.8 days post-treatment. Following a treatment-free interval, 84% of patients had mild disease (vIGA-AD score of 2) and continued to experience relief from symptoms like itch. The treatment demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with most adverse events being mild to moderate. These findings highlight tapinarof's potential to offer extended remission periods, reducing the need for continuous treatment and improving patient satisfaction.

Expert Insights: Linda Stein Gold, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan, discussed the findings.

Phase 3 Updates on Ruxolitinib Cream for Prurigo Nodularis

Company: Incyte

Study/Drug: TRuE-PN1 & TRuE-PN2 studies / Ruxolitinib cream 1.5% (Opzelura)

Condition/Disease State: Prurigo nodularis

Key Findings: The phase 3 TRuE-PN studies evaluated ruxolitinib cream 1.5% for prurigo nodularis, showing significant reductions in itch and skin lesions. In TRuE-PN1, over 44% of patients achieved a ≥4-point reduction in itch after 12 weeks, compared to 20% in the placebo group. TRuE-PN2 showed similar results, though statistical significance was not reached due to a high placebo response. Ruxolitinib cream demonstrated early and sustained improvements, with no new safety concerns.

Expert Insights: Shawn Kwatra, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, professor and chair of dermatology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, chief of service dermatology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, and a Dermatology Times Editorial Advisory Board member, discussed the findings.

Data From Pivotal Trial Reports Dupilumab Effective for Bullous Pemphigoid

Company: Sanofi and Regeneron

Study/Drug: ADEPT Phase 2/3 study / Dupilumab (Dupixent)

Condition/Disease State: Bullous pemphigoid

Key Findings: The ADEPT phase 2/3 study demonstrated that dupilumab (Dupixent) was effective in treating adults with moderate to severe bullous pemphigoid (BP), meeting both primary and secondary endpoints. At 36 weeks, 20% of patients receiving dupilumab achieved sustained disease remission, compared to only 4% of those on placebo. Dupilumab-treated patients also showed significantly less relapse after corticosteroid tapering, reduced need for rescue therapy, and a higher likelihood of achieving remission by week 16. Secondary endpoints showed a 90% reduction in disease severity in 41% of dupilumab patients compared to 10% on placebo. Adverse events were similar between the 2 groups.

Super Responders With Delgocitinib for CHE

Company: LEO Pharma

Study/Drug: DELTA 1 and DELTA 2 trials / Delgocitinib (Anzupgo)

Condition/Disease State: Chronic hand eczema

Key Findings: Delgocitinib cream showed promising results in the treatment of moderate to severe chronic hand eczema. Approximately 50% of patients achieved a deep response by week 16, with substantial improvement in pain, itch, and quality of life. Around 25% of patients demonstrated consistent improvement, maintaining at least 75% reduction in disease severity. Additionally, a significant proportion of patients who achieved Investigator’s Global Assessment-CHE 0 (clear) by week 16 maintained their results even after discontinuing treatment, with about one-third remaining clear or almost clear by week 8 post-treatment.

Expert Insights: April Armstrong, MD, MPH, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist as well as professor and chief of dermatology at UCLA, discussed the findings.

Baricitinib Shows Rapid Hair Regrowth in Adolescents With Severe Alopecia Areata

Company: Eli Lilly and Company

Study/Drug: BRAVE-AA-PEDS phase 3 trial / Baricitinib (Olumiant)

Condition/Disease State: Severe alopecia areata in adolescents (ages 12-18)

Key Findings: The BRAVE-AA-PEDS trial, the largest JAK inhibitor study dedicated to adolescents with severe alopecia areata, demonstrated that baricitinib (4 mg and 2 mg oral doses) led to clinically meaningful improvements in hair regrowth by week 36. At this point, approximately 60% of patients achieved at least 50% scalp hair regrowth. Compared to adults, adolescents showed faster efficacy, with regrowth seen in scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. The safety profile was consistent with adult data, supporting baricitinib’s potential as a safe, effective treatment for adolescents with severe alopecia areata.

Expert Insights: Anabela Cardoso, MD, the senior vice president of immunology medical affairs at Eli Lilly and Company, discussed the findings.

Icotrokinra Demonstrates Promise in Phase 3 ICONIC-LEAD and ICONIC-ADVANCE for Plaque Psoriasis

Company: Johnson & Johnson (J&J)

Study/Drug: ICONIC-LEAD phase 3 trial / Icotrokinra (JNJ-2113)

Condition/Disease State: Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults and adolescents (12 years and older)

Key Findings: The ICONIC-LEAD study demonstrated robust efficacy for icotrokinra (a once-daily oral peptide blocking the IL-23 receptor), with 65% of patients achieving IGA 0/1 (clear or almost clear skin) and 50% reaching PASI 90 at week 16. By week 24, skin clearance continued to improve, with 74% achieving IGA 0/1, and 65% reaching PASI 90. The safety profile was favorable, comparable to placebo, with no new safety signals identified. Additionally, J&J has initiated the ICONIC-ASCEND phase 3 study, a head-to-head trial comparing icotrokinra with ustekinumab, marking a milestone in oral vs injectable biologic comparison.

Expert Insights: Robert Bissonnette, MD, lead investigator and chairman at Innovaderm Research, Montreal, Canada, the findings.

Late-Breaking ESK-001 Data from the OLE STRIDE Trial Presented at AAD 2025

Company: Alumis Inc.

Study/Drug: STRIDE phase 2 open-label extension clinical trial / ESK-001

Condition/Disease State: Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

Key Findings: The STRIDE trial's open-label extension demonstrated that ESK-001, a highly selective TYK2 inhibitor, showed continued clinical benefits after 52 weeks of treatment with 40 mg twice daily. Over 60% of patients achieved PASI 90 at week 52, a notable improvement over week 12 results. Almost 40% reached PASI 100, and 38.8% achieved sPGA 0. Positive results were also seen in quality of life, with 61.3% of patients achieving a DLQI score of 0 or 1. Safety and tolerability were favorable, with the most common adverse effects being mild upper respiratory tract infections and headaches. Alumis is advancing ESK-001 in pivotal phase 3 trials (ONWARD1 and ONWARD2) and expects topline data in early 2026.

Amlitelimab Demonstrates Durable Response in Atopic Dermatitis

Company: Sanofi

Drug/Study: STREAM-AD and RIVER-AD phase 2b studies / Amlitelimab

Condition/Disease State: Atopic dermatitis

Key Findings: Amlitelimab, an investigational drug targeting the OX40 ligand, demonstrated sustained efficacy in patients with moderate to severe AD in the STREAM-AD phase 2b trial, with 74% of patients maintaining significant itch reduction at 28 weeks. Even in patients withdrawn from treatment, 63% maintained improvements. The RIVER-AD extension study showed that patients who initially did not respond to treatment with amlitelimab could still achieve clinical responses upon continued therapy. Amlitelimab's novel mechanism targeting the OX40 ligand provides potential for off-treatment remission, with reduced off-target effects, setting it apart from other AD treatments. Sanofi’s phase 3 OCEANA program aims to further assess its long-term benefits.

Which late breaking research did you find the most impactful? Share your thoughts with us by emailing our team at DTEditor@mmhgroup.com.