Druhan Howell, MD, discusses ACAAI tapinarof data for pediatric atopic dermatitis

Organon recently announced pooled data from the ADORING 1 and 2 phase 3 trials, highlighting the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of tapinarof cream, 1% (VTAMA) in children with atopic dermatitis (AD). Findings were presented at the 2025 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting. In this interview, Druhan Howell, MD, allergist-immunologist, Mobile, Alabama, and Organon Health Partner, discussed the relevance of these new results for pediatric patients and the clinicians who manage them.

Tapinarof cream 1% and comorbidity data

The pooled sub-analysis focused on children aged 2 to 17 years with moderate to severe AD, evaluating outcomes across patients with and without atopic comorbidities—including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies. According to Howell, consistent benefits were seen early in treatment and maintained through the full eight-week study period.

“We see that the kids have significant itch relief early in this study, as early as week 1, and that extends all the way through to week 8,” Howell said. Improvements were observed across multiple quality-of-life measures, including POEM and the Peak Pruritus–Numeric Rating Scale (PP-NRS), as well as clinician-assessed skin clearance using the vIGA-AD. Sleep disturbance improvements, a major burden for families affected by pediatric AD, were also observed.

“When we are dealing with sleep disturbance, you have a child who doesn’t sleep, and nobody in the house sleeps. Having improvement in sleep early in the study, as early as week 1, and extending all the way through week 8, is super important for our patients," she said.

Notably, the presence of atopic comorbidities did not affect treatment response. Howell explained that this is particularly meaningful in clinical practice.

EASI75 responses were observed as early as week 2 and continued through week 8. Among children with comorbidities, 54.5% treated with VTAMA cream achieved EASI75 vs 21.8% with vehicle (P < 0.0001). In those without comorbidities, EASI75 rates were 63.1% vs 20.4%, respectively (P < 0.0001).

Is tapinarof cream 1% safe?

Safety and tolerability findings were consistent with previously reported ADORING data, with no new safety signals identified in the pooled analysis. The most common adverse events—folliculitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache—remained similar to earlier reports. Howell noted that low discontinuation rates further support clinicians’ comfort in prescribing VTAMA cream for pediatric patients.

As tapinarof cream becomes more widely used following its FDA approval for pediatric AD, these expanded pooled results reinforce its role as a topical, non-steroidal option that offers early symptom relief and sustained clinical improvement for children with atopic dermatitis.

Editor's note: Druhan Howell reports a relevant disclosure for Organon.

References:

1. Ebert M. Tapinarof cream, 1% (VTAMA) shows early improvements in pediatric atopic dermatitis. Contemporary Pediatrics. Published November 14, 2025. Accessed November 25, 2025. https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/tapinarof-cream-1-vtama-shows-early-improvements-in-pediatric-atopic-dermatitis
2. New Data Show Early and Consistent Response to VTAMA^® (tapinarof) Cream, 1%, in Children Aged 2+ with Atopic Dermatitis, Including Those With Associated Comorbidities. Organon. November 8, 2025. Accessed November 25, 2025. https://www.organon.com/news/new-data-show-early-and-consistent-response-to-vtama-tapinarof-cream-1-in-children-aged-2-with-atopic-dermatitis-including-those-with-associated-comorbidities/