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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A nasal spray that targets allergy symptoms at the source. A phase 2 trial found that pumecitinib nasal spray, a topical JAK inhibitor, significantly reduced nasal and eye symptoms in adults with moderate-to-severe seasonal allergic rhinitis over 14 days. Both the 1.2 mg and 2.0 mg doses outperformed placebo, with mostly mild side effects and low systemic drug exposure.
A new nasal spray could offer relief for allergy sufferers who struggle with moderate-to-severe seasonal allergic rhinitis. A phase 2 randomized, double-blind trial published in The Lancet Regional Health: Western Pacific found that pumecitinib — a topical JAK inhibitor delivered as a nasal spray — significantly reduced both nasal and eye symptoms compared to placebo over a 14-day treatment period. The study enrolled 168 adults across 20 sites in China.
Both the 1.2 mg and 2.0 mg doses of pumecitinib outperformed placebo on the primary endpoint (reflective total nasal symptom score), and also improved instantaneous nasal symptoms, ocular symptoms, and rhinoconjunctivitis-related quality of life. Importantly, the drug showed low systemic absorption, peaking in plasma around 2 hours with a roughly 3-hour half-life — a reassuring safety signal for a topical therapy.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Seasonal allergic rhinitis affects millions globally, and current options don't work well for everyone. A topical JAK inhibitor with low systemic exposure could be a meaningful addition to the treatment toolkit — though larger, longer-term trials in more diverse populations are needed before broader conclusions can be drawn.
