Tapinarof Cream Shows Consistent Response Across Pediatric AD Age Groups

Linda Stein Gold, MD, director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, Michigan, recently discussed a new analysis of pooled phase 3 data from the ADORING 1 and ADORING 2 trials of Vtama (tapinarof) cream 1%, in atopic dermatitis. The analysis, presented at the 2026 Society for Pediatric Dermatology Annual Meeting, breaks down responses across pediatric age groups and adults.¹ Stein Gold served as an investigator in the tapinarof phase 3 program.

Age-Stratified Response Across Pediatric Groups

Roughly 80% of patients enrolled in the pooled trials were pediatric, Stein Gold said, and the new analysis stratifies outcomes across those age ranges. Each pediatric age group showed a statistically significant improvement in atopic dermatitis compared with vehicle, though the trials were not powered to compare age groups against one another directly. Response magnitude varied somewhat by group, Stein Gold said, but every pediatric subgroup separated from vehicle.

"Each one of them improved, so we can't really compare the different ages numerically," Stein Gold said. "The most important thing was that each of them was statistically better than the vehicle."

Tolerability and Treatment Adherence in Young Children

Tolerability weighed heavily on outcomes for younger children, according to Stein Gold. Caregivers face practical challenges applying a poorly tolerated medication to a young child, and difficulty with application can affect how consistently a treatment gets used.

"If you are using a medication that is not well tolerated, it can be really tough to apply it to a little kid, and it can be tough to apply it to anyone," Stein Gold said. "The fact it was well tolerated probably goes into the fact it was used, and we saw good efficacy."

Early Separation From Vehicle and Family Impact

Atopic dermatitis in children affects the entire family unit, Stein Gold said, including siblings and parents when a child's sleep and daily functioning are disrupted. She pointed to separation from vehicle occurring as early as week 1 and continuing throughout the trial.

"The fact we saw some separation from the vehicle as early as week one, and continued separation over the course of the trial, is really good news," said Stein Gold. "What families want to see is they want to start seeing some improvement early on, and that gives them faith the treatment will work for their kids."

Reference

1. New analysis of phase 3 pooled data for Organon's VTAMA (tapinarof) cream, 1%, demonstrates early, consistent improvements in atopic dermatitis patients across pediatric age groups and in adults. News release. Organon. July 24, 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.organon.com/news/new-analysis-of-phase-3-pooled-data-for-organons-vtama-tapinarof-cream-1-demonstrates-early-consistent-improvements-in-atopic-dermatitis-patients-across-pediatric-age-groups-and-in/