Review and Meta-Analysis Compares Delgocitinib to Vehicle for Chronic Hand Eczema Treatment

A poster presented at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, analyzed the efficacy and safety of topical delgocitinib when compared with vehicle in patients with chronic hand eczema (CHE).¹ Researchers completed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background

CHE is categorized by inflammation, pruritus, scaling, and erythema and can often inhibit basic function. Topical treatments like corticosteroids are commonly used but present long-term safety concerns, including skin atrophy.

Delgocitinib, a novel pan-Janus kinase inhibitor, modulates inflammatory pathways that contribute to CHE’s pathophysiology. The current review analyzed delogcitinib’s tolerability and effectiveness in a 20-30 mg/g dosage.

Methods

Researchers conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared delgocitinib to vehicle. Studies published up to September 9, 2024, were included. All literature was found in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases.

Treatment success was defined as a disease severity rating of “clear” or “almost clear” based on the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) or the Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA). Safety outcomes were also collected. These were evaluated at weeks 4, 8, and 16.

Results

Four trials were assessed in the review: DELTA 1, DELTA 2, Worm 2020, and Worm 2022. Forest plots of treatment success and any related adverse events at each of the time points were presented.

Out of a total of 1,154 participants, approximately 65% (n = 752) received topical delgocitinib 20-30 mg/g. Compared to vehicle, a higher percentage of participants using delgocitinib reached treatment success at all time points. At week 4, 15.1% of the delgocitinib patients achieved treatment success compared to 6.2% in the vehicle groups (RR 2.32; 95% CI 1.53-3.52; p < 0.01). At week 8, 28.7% of delgocitinib users were successful versus 9.3% of vehicle users (RR 2.93; 95% CI 1.97-4.36; p < 0.01). Finally, at week 16, 25.3% of patients using delgocitinib had clear or almost clear skin when compared to 8.4% of those treated with vehicle (RR 3.17; 95% CI 1.78-5.65; p < 0.01).

Regarding adverse effects, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 therapies. Specific results are as follows:

• Adverse events: 48.2% vs. 49.0%; RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.89-1.18; p = 0.74
• Treatment-related adverse events: 5.9% vs. 9.7%; RR 0.60; 95% CI 0.31-1.15; p = 0.12
• Serious adverse events: 1.6% vs. 1.5%; RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.38-2.48; p = 0.94)

Trial discontinuation was less frequent in those who were treated with delgocitinib (0.7% vs. 4.2%; RR 0.21; 95% CI 0.08-0.55; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Overall, topical delgocitinib (20-30 mg/g) had higher treatment success rates and a favorable safety profile compared to vehicle in the treatment of CHE. According to the researchers, these findings “support its use as a valuable therapeutic option for patients with this disease.

More CHE data and recently published findings can be found below:

DELTA 3 Showcases Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Delgocitinib for Chronic Hand Eczema: Participants from the parent DELTA 1 and 2 studies maintained their disease control and observed a decrease in pain and itch over 52 weeks of treatment.

Late-Breaking Data: Super Responders With Delgocitinib for CHE: April Armstrong, MD, MPH, FAAD, discusses her late-breaking presentation at AAD on the treatment response in patients with moderate to severe chronic CHE treated with delgocitinib.

New Survey By LEO Pharma and Ipsos Highlights Diagnostic, Treatment Gaps in Chronic Hand Eczema: A new survey reveals widespread misunderstanding and lack of effective treatments in chronic hand eczema.

LEO Pharma Reports Positive Results in Delgocitinib Trial for CHE: DELTA China follows the success of European and Canadian trials, reinforcing delgocitinib’s potential as a global treatment for CHE.

Reference

1. Moraes Souza R, Sarto R, Lima de Mesquita Y, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Topical Delgocitinib for Chronic Hand Eczema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Poster presented at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting. Orlando, Florida. March 7 to 11, 2025.