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DermatomyositisPhase 2NCT06857240

Topical Ruxolitinib Cream for Refractory Cutaneous Dermatomyositis

A Phase 2 study testing Ruxolitinib Topical Cream in people with Dermatomyositis, run by The Cleveland Clinic at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This study will assess the safety and efficacy of topical ruxolitinib for treating the refractory cutaneous manifestations in patients with dermatomyositis. The investigators' hypothesis is that topical ruxolitinib will be both safe and effective for such patients. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 89 years
Conditions the study is for
Dermatomyositis
What is being tested?
Ruxolitinib Topical Cream
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
15 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Jun 2025to Dec 2030
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 89 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients 18 years and older with refractory cutaneous symptoms related to either classic dermatomyositis (CD), juvenile dermatomyositis (JD), or amyopathic dermatomyositis (AD). Diagnosis will be based on either Bohan and Peter criteria (CD and JD) or Sontheimer's criteria (AD) (19-22).
  • Patients must have had a skin biopsy with histologic features consistent with dermatomyositis and current cutaneous manifestations consistent with dermatomyositis.
  • Patients will be considered to have refractory disease if cutaneous manifestations exist despite treatment with systemic corticosteroids and at least one steroid-sparing systemic treatment commonly found to be useful in patients with dermatomyositis. These may include azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, IVIG, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, sirolimus, tacrolimus, and rituximab.
  • Patients must have sufficiently active cutaneous involvement of dermatomyositis (BSA>1% to <20%, CDASI activity score > 6, and Physician Global Assessment (PGA) activity score >2).
  • Patients must have tried and failed at least one commonly prescribed topical medication in the past, with the last application of a topical medication to active skin lesions occurring greater than 2 weeks prior to enrollment.
  • o Commonly prescribed topical medications for dermatomyositis include corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus or pimecrolimus).
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Patients must have been on a stable systemic medication regimen for at least 2 months (60 days) and must agree to keep the regimen stable throughout the study period. As patients with dermatomyositis are commonly treated with combination regimens that include both topical and systemic immunosuppressive medications, any added risk of adverse effects related to ruxolitinib 1.5% cream is considered negligible.
  • Patients must be agreeable to use appropriate contraceptive measures while enrolled in the study.
  • Women of childbearing potential must be willing to practice abstinence or use either an oral contraceptive medication or IUD if sexually active.
  • Women of childbearing potential must be willing to have monthly urine pregnancy tests while enrolled in the study
  • Men of childbearing potential must be willing to practice abstinence or use condoms if sexually active.

Who cannot join

  • Patients with dermatomyositis who have minimal-to-no active cutaneous disease (mild involvement with < 1% total body surface area involved and/or CDASI activity score of < 6).
  • Patients who have > 20% total BSA involvement of cutaneous dermatomyositis.
  • Patients who have used a common prescription topical medication within the previous 2 weeks.
  • Patients whose cutaneous findings are not consistent with dermatomyositis and/or have previous biopsy results suggestive of an alternative diagnosis
  • Patients not on stable systemic medication regimens for at least 2 months and/or who will not agree to keep the regimen stable throughout the study period.
  • Patients who have previously taken a systemic Janus kinase inhibitor but had a poor response, patients who are currently taking systemic Janus kinase inhibitors, or patients who have used a topical Janus kinase inhibitor for their dermatomyositis or any other condition and had poor responses.
Show all 10Show fewer
  • Patients with inflammatory myositis other than dermatomyositis, such as polymyositis or inclusion body myositis.
  • Patients with clear features of an overlap autoimmune myositis or with an inflammatory myositis not consistent with dermatomyositis, such as polymyositis or inclusion body myositis.
  • Patients with an active malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer, or with malignancy-associated dermatomyositis.
  • Patients younger than 18 years old

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Cleveland Clinic

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44195

    Anthony Fernandez, MD

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

This study will assess the safety and efficacy of topical ruxolitinib for treating the refractory cutaneous manifestations in patients with dermatomyositis. The investigators' hypothesis is that topical ruxolitinib will be both safe and effective for such patients.

Read the detailed description

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an immune-mediated disease that most commonly affects the skin and the muscles. Cutaneous involvement of DM can lead to ulceration with secondary infection, in addition to permanent skin damage in the form of atrophy, scarring, calcinosis, decreased range of motion or lipoatrophy. Furthermore, persistent cutaneous DM is associated with adverse psychological effects and physical symptoms such as pain, burning, and pruritus. The combination of these contribute to a significant negative impact on DM patients' quality of life. Thus, effective treatment of cutaneous DM represents an important therapeutic goal.

Cutaneous DM symptoms and inflammation are often refractory to currently available topical medications . Additionally, continued topical corticosteroid use is associated with well-known adverse effects, including potential worsening of DM-related skin atrophy and adrenal insufficiency.

Recently, topical ruxolitinib has been developed and studied in several dermatologic conditions. In phase 2 and 3 trials in atopic dermatitis, topical ruxolitinib 1.5% cream resulted in significant efficacy in terms of improving both disease activity and itching, without significant side effects. The investigators propose to study use of topical ruxolitinib 1.5% cream as an adjunct for treatment of refractory cutaneous DM lesions in patients who have previously failed other topical medication options.

Conditions
Dermatomyositis
Being tested
Ruxolitinib Topical Cream
Medical subject headings
Dermatomyositis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Ruxolitinib Topical CreamDrug

    1.5% cream

Study groups in NCT06857240
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
TreatmentExperimental1.5 % Ruxolitinib cream
Receives: Drug: Ruxolitinib Topical Cream

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. CDASI

    Change in Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Activity and Severity Index (CDASI) activity score (range 0 - 100; higher scores indicate greater disease activity) at 8 weeks

    Measured: 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. CDASI

    Change in Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Activity and Severity Index (CDASI) activity score (range 0 - 100; higher scores indicate greater disease activity) at 12 weeks

    Measured: week 12

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted4 Mar 2025
  2. Study start1 Jun 2025
  3. Primary completionDec 2030 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2030 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Model description
Prospective, Single-Arm, Open-Label Pilot study
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
15 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06857240
Sponsor's protocol ID
23-864
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
26 Feb 2025
Last updated
28 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Limited IPD will be shared within the publication.

Publications

  • Bailey EE, Fiorentino DF. Amyopathic dermatomyositis: definitions, diagnosis, and management. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2014 Dec;16(12):465. doi: 10.1007/s11926-014-0465-0.

    PubMed 25366932
  • Robinson ES, Feng R, Okawa J, Werth VP. Improvement in the cutaneous disease activity of patients with dermatomyositis is associated with a better quality of life. Br J Dermatol. 2015 Jan;172(1):169-74. doi: 10.1111/bjd.13167. Epub 2014 Nov 30.

    PubMed 24909747
  • Huber AM, Kim S, Reed AM, Carrasco R, Feldman BM, Hong SD, Kahn P, Rahimi H, Robinson AB, Vehe RK, Weiss JE, Spencer C; Juvenile Dermatomyositis Research Committee of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance. Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance Consensus Clinical Treatment Plans for Juvenile Dermatomyositis with Persistent Skin Rash. J Rheumatol. 2017 Jan;44(1):110-116. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.160688. Epub 2016 Nov 1.

    PubMed 27803135
  • Sanner H, Sjaastad I, Flato B. Disease activity and prognostic factors in juvenile dermatomyositis: a long-term follow-up study applying the Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization criteria for inactive disease and the myositis disease activity assessment tool. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2014 Sep;53(9):1578-85. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keu146. Epub 2014 Mar 31.

    PubMed 24692575
  • Seshadri R, Feldman BM, Ilowite N, Cawkwell G, Pachman LM. The role of aggressive corticosteroid therapy in patients with juvenile dermatomyositis: a propensity score analysis. Arthritis Rheum. 2008 Jul 15;59(7):989-95. doi: 10.1002/art.23829.

    PubMed 18576304
  • Wolstencroft PW, Chung L, Li S, Casciola-Rosen L, Fiorentino DF. Factors Associated With Clinical Remission of Skin Disease in Dermatomyositis. JAMA Dermatol. 2018 Jan 1;154(1):44-51. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.3758.

    PubMed 29114741
  • Ladislau L, Suarez-Calvet X, Toquet S, Landon-Cardinal O, Amelin D, Depp M, Rodero MP, Hathazi D, Duffy D, Bondet V, Preusse C, Bienvenu B, Rozenberg F, Roos A, Benjamim CF, Gallardo E, Illa I, Mouly V, Stenzel W, Butler-Browne G, Benveniste O, Allenbach Y. JAK inhibitor improves type I interferon induced damage: proof of concept in dermatomyositis. Brain. 2018 Jun 1;141(6):1609-1621. doi: 10.1093/brain/awy105.

    PubMed 29741608
  • You H, Xu D, Zhao J, Li J, Wang Q, Tian X, Li M, Zeng X. JAK Inhibitors: Prospects in Connective Tissue Diseases. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2020 Dec;59(3):334-351. doi: 10.1007/s12016-020-08786-6.

    PubMed 32222877
  • Hornung T, Janzen V, Heidgen FJ, Wolf D, Bieber T, Wenzel J. Remission of recalcitrant dermatomyositis treated with ruxolitinib. N Engl J Med. 2014 Dec 25;371(26):2537-8. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc1412997. No abstract available.

    PubMed 25539124
  • Kurtzman DJ, Wright NA, Lin J, Femia AN, Merola JF, Patel M, Vleugels RA. Tofacitinib Citrate for Refractory Cutaneous Dermatomyositis: An Alternative Treatment. JAMA Dermatol. 2016 Aug 1;152(8):944-5. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.0866. No abstract available.

    PubMed 27120749
  • Paik JJ, Casciola-Rosen L, Shin JY, Albayda J, Tiniakou E, Leung DG, Gutierrez-Alamillo L, Perin J, Florea L, Antonescu C, Leung SG, Purwin G, Koenig A, Christopher-Stine L. Study of Tofacitinib in Refractory Dermatomyositis: An Open-Label Pilot Study of Ten Patients. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 May;73(5):858-865. doi: 10.1002/art.41602. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

    PubMed 33258553
  • Dawkins MA, Jorizzo JL, Walker FO, Albertson D, Sinal SH, Hinds A. Dermatomyositis: a dermatology-based case series. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998 Mar;38(3):397-404. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(98)70496-7.

    PubMed 9520020
  • Garcia-Doval I, Cruces M. Topical tacrolimus in cutaneous lesions of dermatomyositis: lack of effect in side-by-side comparison in five patients. Dermatology. 2004;209(3):247-8. doi: 10.1159/000079903. No abstract available.

    PubMed 15459546
  • Barnes L, Kaya G, Rollason V. Topical corticosteroid-induced skin atrophy: a comprehensive review. Drug Saf. 2015 May;38(5):493-509. doi: 10.1007/s40264-015-0287-7.

    PubMed 25862024
  • Hengge UR, Ruzicka T, Schwartz RA, Cork MJ. Adverse effects of topical glucocorticosteroids. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006 Jan;54(1):1-15; quiz 16-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2005.01.010.

    PubMed 16384751

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Ruxolitinib Topical Cream in people with Dermatomyositis, run by The Cleveland Clinic at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 11 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Anthony Fernandez, MD (216 445-8776, dermatologyresearch@ccf.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

CDASI (time frame: 8 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06857240, which also lists 29 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Oct 2026.

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