A double-blinded, randomized, methylprednisolone-controlled study on the efficacy of oclacitinib in the management of pruritus in cats with nonflea nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Oclacitinib is a Janus-kinase inhibitor that decreases interleukin-31-induced pruritus in cats. At 0.4-0.6 mg/kg/day orally, it decreased pruritus and skin lesions in <50% of allergic cats.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate efficacy and safety of oclacitinib in feline nonflea nonfood-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFNFIHD).

ANIMALS: Forty cats with NFNFIHD.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Cats were randomly assigned to receive oclacitinib (group A, 20 cats, 0.7-1.2 mg/kg) or methylprednisolone (group B, 20 cats, 0.5-1 mg/kg) orally twice daily for 28 days. On day (D)1 and D28, lesions were evaluated using the Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) scale and owners assessed pruritus using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and quality of life (QoL) questionnaire. Results were analysed by General Linear Mixed Model (P < 0.05). Haematochemical analyses were performed on D1 and D28.

RESULTS: In both groups all parameters improved significantly, with no difference at either time point. Group A had a 61% mean SCORFAD and 54% pruritus VAS improvement, compared with 69% and 67% in group B; 70% of cats in group A and 75% in group B achieved a ≥ 50% reduction of pruritus VAS scores; with 60% and 80% of SCORFAD. There were five non-responders in group A and three in group B. The QoL score improved in both groups (25 and 21%). Four of 14 cats had mild increases in kidney function tests (oclacitinib group) and three of 12 cats had elevated alanine transferase (methylprednisolone group).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Oclacitinib appears to be effective for treating pruritus and lesions in cats with NFNFIHD, albeit methylprednisolone seemed to perform better.