title: Efficacy and safety of oclacitinib for the control of pruritus and associated skin lesions in dogs with canine allergic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oclacitinib (Apoquel(®) ) inhibits the function of a variety of pro-inflammatory, pro-allergic and pruritogenic cytokines that are dependent on Janus kinase enzyme activity. Oclacitinib selectively inhibits Janus kinase 1.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oclacitinib for the control of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Client-owned dogs (n = 436) with moderate to severe owner-assessed pruritus and a presumptive diagnosis of allergic dermatitis were enrolled. Dogs were randomized to either oclacitinib at 0.4-0.6 mg/kg orally twice daily or an excipient-matched placebo. An enhanced 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) was used by the owners to assess the severity of pruritus from day 0 to 7 and by veterinarians to assess the severity of dermatitis on days 0 and 7. Dogs could remain on the study for 28 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pretreatment owner and veterinary VAS scores were similar for the two treatment groups. Oclacitinib produced a rapid onset of efficacy within 24 h. Mean oclacitinib Owner Pruritus VAS scores were significantly better than placebo scores (P < 0.0001) on each assessment day. Pruritus scores decreased from 7.58 to 2.59 cm following oclacitinib treatment. The day 7 mean oclacitinib Veterinarian Dermatitis VAS scores were also significantly better (P < 0.0001) than placebo scores. Diarrhoea and vomiting were reported with similar frequency in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, oclacitinib provided rapid, effective and safe control of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis, with owners and veterinarians noting substantial improvements in pruritus and dermatitis VAS scores.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Zoetis Inc., 333 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA.
authors.forename: Sallie B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Cosgrove
authors.forename: Jody A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wren
authors.forename: Dawn M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cleaver
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Kelly F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Harfst
authors.forename: Stacey L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Follis
authors.forename: Vickie L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Joseph F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Boucher
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Stegemann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D011743:Pyrimidines; D013449:Sulfonamides; C588062:oclacitinib