6 days ago
FDA OKs New Steroid-Free Skin Cream for Hand Eczema
July 24, 2025 – The FDA has approved a new treatment as the first and only skin cream for a specific type of hand eczema that affects about 1 in every 10 people globally.
The cream, sold under the name Anzupgo, contains a new drug called delgocitinib and is for adults with long-term or chronic hand eczema (CHE), especially if steroid creams don't help or aren't a good option.
CHE is a type of eczema that affects hands and wrists, causing the skin to become dry, itchy, sore, blistered, thick, or swollen. It can last for at least three months and flares up at least twice a year. CHE develops when the skin's protective barrier is damaged, leading to inflammation and changes in the naturally existing skin bacteria. CHE can seriously affect daily life and mental health as around 70% of people with severe CHE find it hard to do everyday tasks. Currently available treatments often provide only temporary relief, may cause side effects with long-term use, and may need to be injected, highlighting the need for effective and easy-to-use options.
Anzupgo was tested in two studies with about 960 people who had moderate to severe CHE. They used either Anzupgo or a placebo cream twice a day for 16 weeks. More people who used Anzupgo had clear or almost clear skin (20% and 29%) compared to those who used the fake cream (10% and 7%).
In a longer follow-up study, about 30% of patients using Anzupgo continued to see improvement after 36 weeks. Overall, the treatment was well-tolerated. Less than 1% of people reported side effects like mild skin pain, tingling, itching, redness, or skin infections. A few also had low white blood cell counts.
Anzupgo, made by the drugmaker Leo Pharma, is a steroid-free cream that works by blocking key signals from specific proteins in the immune system known as JAK, which cause inflammation in the skin when overactivated. This helps reduce flare-ups and relieve symptoms. Patients can easily apply the cream to the affected areas only on their hands and wrists, following their doctor's advice, and avoid touching their mouth and eyes.
The FDA advises against using Anzupgo alongside other medications that work in a similar way or suppress the immune system, as this could raise the risk of side effects. People using Anzupgo should also avoid live vaccines right before, during, and shortly after treatment. Breastfeeding women are told not to touch their nipple area after applying the cream to their hands or wrists. Doctors should be informed of any ongoing or frequent infections, as well as any other health conditions that might increase the risk of infection during treatment.
