Delgocitinib Cream Demonstrates Consistent Efficacy in Chronic Hand Eczema Regardless of Prior Systemic Therapy
A pooled analysis of phase 3 DELTA trials demonstrates that delgocitinib cream 20 mg/g provides clinically meaningful improvements in moderate-to-severe chronic hand eczema (CHE), regardless of prior systemic therapy exposure.
Data were pooled from 2 randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled phase 3 trials (DELTA 1 and DELTA 2). Patients were stratified as systemic-naïve or systemic-experienced (>28 days of prior systemic therapy). Efficacy endpoints included Investigator’s Global Assessment for CHE treatment success (IGA-CHE TS), ≥75% improvement in Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI-75), and ≥4-point improvements in itch and pain.
Across all endpoints, delgocitinib cream consistently outperformed the vehicle. Response rates were higher with delgocitinib as early as initial timepoints and maintained through week 16. Treatment effects were observed in both systemic-naïve and systemic-experienced patients, although responses were more pronounced in systemic-naïve individuals.
At week 16, significantly greater proportions of patients treated with delgocitinib achieved IGA-CHE TS, HECSI-75, and meaningful improvements in itch and pain compared with the vehicle (all P<0.001 or P≤0.002).
“Delgocitinib cream 20 mg/g treatment provided greater clinically meaningful efficacy than cream vehicle in patients with moderate-to-severe CHE, regardless of prior systemic treatment exposure,” the authors concluded. “Considering the favorable outcomes in systemic-naïve patients, these findings suggest the positioning of delgocitinib cream as a topical treatment option prior to systemic escalation.”
These findings support delgocitinib cream as an effective topical option for CHE, with consistent benefits across patient populations and the potential to delay or reduce the need for systemic therapy.
Reference
Bissonnette R, Schliemann S, Worm M, et al. Delgocitinib cream 20 mg/g for moderate to severe chronic hand eczema: outcomes over 16 weeks by prior systemic therapy exposure. Presented at: American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 27–31, 2026; Denver, Colorado.
