What the trial was testing
The DELTA FORCE enrolled 513 patients with atopic dermatitis. The study was sponsored by LEO Pharma and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
The cream reduced severity 31% more than the pill, with fewer headaches and nausea.
Lancet (London, England) · 2025 · NCT05259722
These findings — that the cream reduced hand eczema severity significantly more than the pill over 12 weeks — were published in the Lancet (London, England) and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 513 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with atopic dermatitis, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
If you have severe hand eczema that hasn't improved with creams alone, this treatment offers real relief — and seems gentler on your body than the alternative systemic medication. It's applied twice daily to your hands. Talk to your doctor about whether this is right for you.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open atopic dermatitis trials
Non-specific Effects of a Modified Measles Vaccination Schedule to Prevent Allergy and Unrelated Infection in Children
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the off-target/non-specific effects of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in children.
CorEvitas International Adolescent Atopic Dermatitis (AD) Drug Safety and Effectiveness Registry
Prospective observational registry for an adolescent cohort with AD under the care of a dermatology provider. Approximately 1500 subjects and 75 clinical sites in North America and select European countries will be recruited to participate with no defined upper limit for either target.