Efficacy and safety of oclacitinib for the control of pruritus and associated skin lesions in dogs with canine allergic dermatitis. Issue 5 (5th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cosgrove, Sallie B.; Wren, Jody A.; Cleaver, Dawn M.; Martin, David D.; Walsh, Kelly F.; Harfst, Jessica A.; Follis, Stacey L.; King, Vickie L.; Boucher, Joseph F.; Stegemann, Michael R.
• Is Part Of: Veterinary dermatology. Volume 24:Issue 5(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 479
• Page End: e114
• Publication Date: 2013-07-05
• Subjects: Veterinary dermatology -- Periodicals; Pet medicine -- Periodicals; 636.08965
• DOI: 10.1111/vde.12047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-4493

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="vde12047-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="vde12047-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Oclacitinib (Apoquel<sup>®</sup>) inhibits the function of a variety of pro‐inflammatory, pro‐allergic and pruritogenic cytokines that are dependent on Janus kinase enzyme activity. Oclacitinib selectively inhibits Janus kinase 1.</p> </sec> <sec id="vde12047-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Hypothesis/Objectives</title> <p>We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oclacitinib for the control of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis in a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial.</p> </sec> <sec id="vde12047-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Client‐owned dogs (<italic>n</italic> = 436) with moderate to severe owner‐assessed pruritus and a presumptive diagnosis of allergic dermatitis were enrolled. Dogs were randomized to either oclacitinib at 0.4–0.6 mg/kg orally twice daily or an excipient‐matched placebo. An enhanced 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) was used by the owners to assess the severity of pruritus from day 0 to 7 and by veterinarians to assess the severity of dermatitis on days 0 and 7. Dogs could remain on the study for 28 days.</p> </sec> <sec id="vde12047-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Pretreatment owner and veterinary VAS scores were similar for the two treatment groups. Oclacitinib produced a rapid onset of efficacy within 24 h. Mean oclacitinib Owner Pruritus VAS scores were significantly better than placebo scores (<italic>P </italic><<italic> </italic>0.0001) on each assessment day. Pruritus scores decreased from 7.58 to 2.59 cm following oclacitinib treatment. The day 7 mean oclacitinib Veterinarian Dermatitis VAS scores were also significantly better (<italic>P </italic><<italic> </italic>0.0001) than placebo scores. Diarrhoea and vomiting were reported with similar frequency in both groups.</p> </sec> <sec id="vde12047-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions and clinical importance</title> <p>In this study, oclacitinib provided rapid, effective and safe control of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis, with owners and veterinarians noting substantial improvements in pruritus and dermatitis VAS scores.</p> </sec> </abstract>