Efficacy and safety of oclacitinib for the control of pruritus and associated skin lesions in dogs with canine allergic dermatitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Oclacitinib (Apoquel(®) ) 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.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES:

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.

METHODS:

Client-owned dogs (n = 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.

RESULTS:

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 (P < 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 (P < 0.0001) than placebo scores. Diarrhoea and vomiting were reported with similar frequency in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:

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.

• Authors: Sallie B Cosgrove, Jody A Wren, Dawn M Cleaver, David D Martin, Kelly F Walsh, Jessica A Harfst, Stacey L Follis, Vickie L King, Joseph F Boucher, Michael R Stegemann
• Journal: Veterinary dermatology (Vet Dermatol) Vol. 24 Issue 5 Pg. 479-e114 (Oct 2013) ISSN: 1365-3164 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23829933 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2013 Zoetis Inc. Veterinary Dermatology published by John Wiley & Sons on behalf of the ESVD and the ACVD.

Chemical References

• Dermatologic Agents
• Pyrimidines
• Sulfonamides
• oclacitinib

Topics

• Animals
• Dermatitis (classification, drug therapy, pathology, veterinary)
• Dermatologic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Dog Diseases (drug therapy, etiology, pathology)
• Dogs
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Hypersensitivity (drug therapy, pathology, veterinary)
• Male
• Pruritus (drug therapy, veterinary)
• Pyrimidines (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Sulfonamides (adverse effects, therapeutic use)