Promising cream for painful skin condition tested in tiny trial
NCT ID NCT04414514
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This small, early trial tested a cream called ruxolitinib 1.5% on 6 people with early-stage hidradenitis suppurativa, a painful skin condition that causes lumps and abscesses. The goal was to see if the cream could reduce inflammation and improve symptoms after 16 weeks. However, the study was terminated early, so we have very limited information about its effectiveness.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Ruxolitinib 1.5% cream
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a topical treatment for early-stage hidradenitis suppurativa, reducing painful lumps and inflammation.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small, early-phase trial that was terminated early, so results are limited. It is unclear if the cream will work for most people or have side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
6 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Oct 2022
- Finished
-
Feb 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
12 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female subjects age 12 years or older 2. Hidradenitis suppurativa, and should be Hurley Stage I or II, defined as papules, nodules, and/or abscess formation, single or multiple, with or without sinus tracts; 3. Subjects must have a diagnosis of HS for at least 3 months (90 days) prior to Baseline; 4. Active HS lesions must be present in at least one distinct anatomic area; 5. Subject must have at least 3 total inflammatory lesions at the Baseline visit; 6. Subjects who had surgery in the treatment area, should be at least 3 months status post the procedure (this applies to deroofing/marsupialization or excision, not incision \& drainage) 7. Subject has a negative TB screening assessment (including a PPD test and/or Quantiferon-TB Gold test equivalent) OR for patients with treated latent TB or negative chest x-ray (CXR posterior-anterior \[PA\] and lateral view within prior 90 days) at Screening with documentation of treated latent tuberculosis (90 days of treatment). 8. Medications can be continued if they have been at a stable dose for the requisite duration and the dose is not increased during the study period: * Biologic medication (such as TNF, IL-12/23 or IL-17 inhibitors): Up to 30% of enrolled participants will be allowed to remain on a concurrent biologic at stable dosage if treated with a stable dose and frequency for 6 months or longer; * Oral antibiotic must be a stable dose and frequency for 28 days or longer; * Hormone-based therapy (birth control pills or spironolactone) must be a stable dose and frequency for 4 months or longer; * Oral retinoids must be on a stable dose and frequency for 90 days or longer; * Other topical therapy must be discontinued 14 days prior to the Baseline visit. * Child bearing potential: In addition, you must be willing to use a method of contraception during the study period and for 4 weeks after the last dose of study drug. (Note: Periodic abstinence calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods\] and withdrawal are not acceptable as abstinence.) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Infection(s) unrelated to HS requiring treatment with: * intravenous (IV) anti-infectives (antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals) within 30 days prior to Baseline or; * oral anti-infectives (antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals) within 14 days prior to Baseline, except as required as part of an anti-TB regimen; 2. Subject previously treated with a biologic medication but stopped due to lack of effect/sufficient effect as deemed by the investigator. 3. Any other active skin disease or condition (e.g., bacterial, fungal or viral infection) that may interfere with assessment of HS; 4. Pregnant (or considering becoming pregnant) or lactating females Note: Non child bearing potential is defined as surgically sterile with a hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy OR postmenopausal (defined as amenorrhea at least 12 months before screening, confirmed by FSH levels at screening). 5. Clinically significant abnormal screening laboratory results as evaluated by the Investigator. 6. Subject does not have reliable internet access for weekly electronic surveys; 7. Subject is considered by the Study Investigator, for any reason, to be an unsuitable candidate for the study. 8. Excluded prohibited concomitant medication and procedures include: JAK inhibitors (systemic or topical (eg, ruxolitinib, tofacitinib, baricitinib, filgotinib, lestaurtinib, and pacritinib) within 4 weeks of Screening ; surgical, laser, or IPL intervention in area with HS lesion within 3 months of Screening, except for rescue lesional treatment; systemic corticosteroid within 4 weeks; use of topical creams, ointments, gels, and liquids except the study therapy.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Penn State Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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