New phase 3 data show tapinarof cream (VTAMA) delivered early, consistent efficacy across pediatric and adult age groups with atopic dermatitis.
New analyses of the pivotal phase 3 ADORING 1 and ADORING 2 trials continue to strengthen the evidence supporting tapinarof cream, 1% (VTAMA) as a treatment option for
Speaking with HCPLive during the 2026 Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) Annual Meeting, Linda Stein Gold, MD, discussed findings from a post hoc analysis that, for the first time, examined efficacy outcomes separately among pediatric and adult age groups.
Stein Gold explained that the analysis evaluated tapinarof cream, a nonsteroidal topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist approved for adults and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older with atopic dermatitis, across patients aged 2 years through adulthood. Although the original phase 3 program demonstrated overall efficacy, approximately 80% of enrolled participants were pediatric patients.
Separating the data by age allowed investigators to determine whether treatment effects remained consistent among younger children, adolescents, and adults. According to Stein Gold, the findings showed statistically significant improvements over vehicle in every age subgroup for key efficacy endpoints, reinforcing the consistency of the therapy's performance across a heterogeneous patient population.
The pooled analysis demonstrated improvements with tapinarof cream as early as Week 2, with responses continuing through Week 8. By Week 8, significantly more patients receiving tapinarof achieved Validated Investigator Global Assessment for Atopic Dermatitis (vIGA-AD) success compared with vehicle across every age group.
This included children aged 2–6 years (56.3% vs 11.8%; P <.0001), 7–11 years (44.9% vs 23.8%; P= .0172), 12–17 years (48.8% vs 13.4%; P <.0001), and adults (38.0% vs 18.1%; P= .0280). Similar statistically significant advantages were observed for EASI75 responses, with rates reaching 70.2% versus 20.5% among the youngest children and remaining consistently higher than vehicle across all other age groups.
Stein Gold noted that evaluating outcomes by age is clinically important because atopic dermatitis presents differently throughout life. Disease characteristics, treatment response, and tolerability may vary between toddlers, adolescents, and adults, making subgroup analyses particularly valuable for clinicians. She emphasized that the consistent efficacy observed across each cohort provides reassurance that tapinarof performs similarly despite the disease's heterogeneity.
Stein Gold also highlighted the practical significance of early improvement. Because atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease that often begins in infancy and can persist for years, rapid symptom relief may encourage patients and families to remain adherent to treatment.
From a clinician's perspective, seeing meaningful improvement within the first several weeks can reinforce confidence that therapy is working, helping support continued treatment and, ultimately, better long-term outcomes.
Disclosures for Stein Gold include AbbVie, Amgen, Arctis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB.
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