Tapinarof Cream 1% Shows Early, Durable Response in Children With Atopic Dermatitis: Daily Dose

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On November 11, 2025, we reported on a study presented at the 2025 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting that evaluated tapinarof (VTAMA) cream, 1%, compared to vehicle among children aged 2 to 17 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

The study

Researchers presented pooled data from a sub-analysis of the phase 3 ADORING 1 and 2 clinical trials of adults and children randomized to receive tapinarof cream, 1%, or vehicle once daily for 8 weeks. The sub-analysis included 654 children in the trials, with and without comorbidities associated with atopic dermatitis.

The findings

Investigators observed early improvements in skin clearance, with significant differences in validated Investigator Global Assessment for Atopic Dermatitis (vIGA-AD) response rates as early as week 1 and maintained through week 8. Among children with atopic dermatitis-related comorbidities, 42.3% of those treated with tapinarof cream achieved vIGA-AD response compared with 11.8% receiving vehicle (P < .001). In those without comorbidities, response rates were 49.5% with tapinarof vs 14.8% with vehicle (P < .001).

Improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores was observed as early as week 2 and sustained through week 8. In children with comorbidities, 54.5% of those using tapinarof cream achieved improvement vs 21.8% with vehicle (P < .001); in those without comorbidities, 63.1% vs 20.4%, respectively (P < .001).

Patient-reported outcomes also improved early in treatment. Total mean Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) and POEM sleep scores showed significant differences by week 1 and were maintained through week 8. For participants with comorbidities, total POEM scores were 6.9 with VTAMA vs 12.0 with vehicle (P < .001), and POEM sleep scores were 0.9 vs 1.4 (P = .003). In those without comorbidities, total POEM scores were 6.7 vs 11.9 (P < .001) and POEM sleep scores 0.6 vs 1.4 (P < .001).

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