Effect of Abrocitinib on the Skin Microbiome in Patients With Moderate‐to‐Severe Atopic Dermatitis
Madeline Kim, Ester Del Duca, Joel Correa Da Rosa, Juliana Pulsinelli, Yeriel Estrada, Dan Xu, Gary Chan, Allshine Chen, Erman Güler, Karen Page, Emma Guttman‐YasskyABSTRACT
Background
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by microbial dysbiosis, notably an overabundance of Staphylococcus species. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of abrocitinib, a Janus kinase 1‐selective inhibitor, on the skin microbiome and clinical outcomes in patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD.
Methods
Patients enrolled in JADE MOA (NCT03915496) were randomly assigned to receive once‐daily abrocitinib (100 or 200 mg) or placebo for 12 weeks. Skin swabs collected at baseline and Weeks 2, 4, and 12 underwent 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to determine microbial composition. Disease severity was assessed at the same time points using established clinical metrics. Associations between microbial abundance and clinical metrics, as well as inflammatory and skin barrier markers, were investigated.
Results
Data from 43 patients were included. Alpha diversity increased significantly at Week 12 of treatment with abrocitinib 200 mg. Beta diversity analysis revealed clustering of the abrocitinib groups away from placebo as early as Week 2; divergence continued through Week 12.
Staphylococcus
and
Conclusions
Abrocitinib treatment is associated with beneficial changes in the skin microbiome, notably a reduction in
Trial Registration