Linda Stein Gold, MD, is a dermatologist at Henry Ford Health. 

Linda Stein Gold, MD

Patients with significant baseline disease reached high efficacy benchmarks by week 8 on tapinarof cream.

Tapinarof offers a non-steroidal option usable on all body surface areas, simplifying treatment regimens.

Unmet needs remain for patients younger than 2 years, an area for future study.

 from the ADORING 1 and ADORING 2 phase 3 trials continue to reinforce tapinarof cream, 1% (VTAMA) as a treatment option for 

 across a broad range of patients, according to Linda Stein Gold, MD.

 interview, Stein Gold, known for her role as director of Dermatology Clinical Research and division head of Dermatology at Henry Ford Health, Stein Gold highlighted some of the implications of her team’s findings on tapinarof cream 1%.

What EASI 75, vIGA-AD Scores Reveal About Tapinarof's Eczema Efficacy

What Do EASI 75 and vIGA-AD Scores Reveal About Treatment Response?

Stein Gold noted that regulatory benchmarks for treatment success have grown considerably more stringent over the course of her career. She explained that current 

 standards for clear or almost-clear skin, as measured by vIGA-AD, represent a high bar, while EASI 75 reflects a 75% improvement from baseline.

Given that most trial participants had disease severe enough to be candidates for systemic therapy, she said achieving these benchmarks with a once-daily, non-steroidal topical cream by week 8 represents a meaningful clinical result.

How Could These Findings Influence Atopic Dermatitis Management Across Age Groups?

Stein Gold said clinicians have long relied on topical steroids as a short-term mainstay of atopic dermatitis therapy, despite the chronic nature of the disease. She emphasized the value of non-steroidal options that can be applied across multiple body surface areas, including the face, skin folds, and hands, to simplify treatment regimens and support longer-term disease control.

What Unmet Needs Remain in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis?

Looking ahead, Stein Gold pointed to tapinarof's expanding role across chronic inflammatory skin diseases, noting its existing approval down to age 2 in atopic dermatitis and its FDA approval in psoriasis. She anticipates non-steroidal options will increasingly limit steroid use in clinical practice.

However, she identified younger pediatric patients, including infants as young as 3 to 4 months, as a population in need of further study, calling it a key unmet need in atopic dermatitis care.

Disclosures for Stein Gold include AbbVie, Amgen, Arctis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB.

New Analysis of Phase 3 Pooled Data for Organon’s VTAMA® (tapinarof) cream, 1%, Demonstrates Early, Consistent Improvements in Atopic Dermatitis Patients Across Pediatric Age Groups and in Adults. Organon. July 24, 2026. Accessed July 31, 2026. 

https://www.organon.com/news/new-analysis-of-phase-3-pooled-data-for-organons-vtama-tapinarof-cream-1-demonstrates-early-consistent-improvements-in-atopic-dermatitis-patients-across-pediatric-age-groups-and-in/

Fonacier L, Boguniewicz M, Ohayon J, et al. Tapinarof cream 1% in atopic dermatitis: consistent efficacy across age groups from pooled ADORING trials. Poster presented at: Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) Annual Meeting; July 23, 2026; Minneapolis, MN.

Videos

Linda Stein Gold, MD, explains what new ADORING data reveal about tapinarof cream for atopic dermatitis across age cohorts.

Tapinarof cream (VTAMA) demonstrated consistent efficacy across pediatric and adult age groups.

Clinical improvements in eczema were observed as early as Week 2 and continued through Week 8.

Age-stratified analyses reinforce confidence in treating a heterogeneous atopic dermatitis population.

New analyses of the pivotal phase 3 ADORING 1 and ADORING 2 trials continue to strengthen the evidence supporting tapinarof cream, 1% (VTAMA) as a treatment option for 

 during the 2026 Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) Annual Meeting, Linda Stein Gold, MD, discussed findings from a post hoc analysis that, for the first time, examined efficacy outcomes separately among pediatric and adult age groups.

Age-Stratified Phase 3 Data Support Tapinarof Cream in Pediatric Eczema

Stein Gold explained that the analysis evaluated tapinarof cream, a nonsteroidal topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist approved for adults and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older with atopic dermatitis, across patients aged 2 years through adulthood. Although the original phase 3 program demonstrated overall efficacy, approximately 80% of enrolled participants were pediatric patients.

Separating the data by age allowed investigators to determine whether treatment effects remained consistent among younger children, adolescents, and adults. According to Stein Gold, the findings showed statistically significant improvements over vehicle in every age subgroup for key efficacy endpoints, reinforcing the consistency of the therapy's performance across a heterogeneous patient population.

Early Improvement May Support Long-Term Treatment Success

The pooled analysis demonstrated improvements with tapinarof cream as early as Week 2, with responses continuing through Week 8. By Week 8, significantly more patients receiving tapinarof achieved Validated Investigator Global Assessment for Atopic Dermatitis (vIGA-AD) success compared with vehicle across every age group.

This included children aged 2–6 years (56.3% vs 11.8%; 

= .0172), 12–17 years (48.8% vs 13.4%; 

= .0280). Similar statistically significant advantages were observed for EASI75 responses, with rates reaching 70.2% versus 20.5% among the youngest children and remaining consistently higher than vehicle across all other age groups.

Stein Gold noted that evaluating outcomes by age is clinically important because atopic dermatitis presents differently throughout life. Disease characteristics, treatment response, and tolerability may vary between toddlers, adolescents, and adults, making subgroup analyses particularly valuable for clinicians. She emphasized that the consistent efficacy observed across each cohort provides reassurance that tapinarof performs similarly despite the disease's heterogeneity.

Significance of Findings on Tapinarof Cream

Stein Gold also highlighted the practical significance of early improvement. Because atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease that often begins in infancy and can persist for years, rapid symptom relief may encourage patients and families to remain adherent to treatment.

From a clinician's perspective, seeing meaningful improvement within the first several weeks can reinforce confidence that therapy is working, helping support continued treatment and, ultimately, better long-term outcomes.

Silverberg JI, Eichenfield LF, Hebert AA, et al. Tapinarof cream 1% once daily: Significant efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults and children down to 2 years of age in the pivotal phase 3 ADORING trials. 

New phase 3 data show tapinarof cream (VTAMA) delivered early, consistent efficacy across pediatric and adult age groups with atopic dermatitis.

Treatment Selection, Adherence, and Misconceptions in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

Linda Stein Gold, MD, director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health, 

previously discussed the expanding list of nonsteroidal topical therapies for pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD)

Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis (RAD) 2026 Conference

, held June 17-19, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee.

 In the second part of her interview with 

, she addressed how clinicians should choose among those options, along with adherence strategies and common misconceptions among patients and parents.

Selecting Therapy by Age and Body Surface Area: 

Most of the newer topical options are US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved down to age 2 years, Stein Gold said, giving clinicians a wide range of choices for younger patients. None of the newer molecules are approved yet for children under 2 years.

Drug selection often comes down to body surface area, Stein Gold explained. Ruxolitinib carries a narrower indication limited to 20% body surface area, so clinicians would likely avoid it in patients with more extensive disease. Other molecules can be used broadly across the face, trunk, and other sites.

Not every drug works for every patient. Stein Gold recommended picking an option clinicians are comfortable with and switching to another mechanism of action if the first does not work.

Simplifying Regimens Supports Adherence to Atopic Dermatitis Treatment 

Stein Gold noted that adherence in pediatric AD starts before treatment even begins since a prescription that is never picked up from the pharmacy cannot help a patient. Once home, patients are more likely to continue treatment if they see improvement quickly and without stinging or burning. She also noted that consistency drives outcomes.

“Don't give them 15 different things to do because then they'll do nothing,” she said. “If you can give them 1 thing…once…or twice a day, that's really the best option.”

Addressing Parental Misconceptions of Pediatric AD

One of the most common misconceptions Stein Gold encounters is that parents search for a single cause of their child's AD, often asking, “What can I eliminate? What food can I get rid of? Is it my fault? What can I do so that my child isn't suffering?”

“It's so much more complicated than that,” Stein Gold continued. “I really advise them that restricting the child's diet is not generally a good thing. There are food allergies, and we have to avoid those, but just a general restrictive diet is never a good thing. This is something that we have the tools to get under control, and it's really a matter of having the child appropriately diagnosed and then sticking with the treatment regimen.”

Stein Gold L. New Nonsteroidal Options Are Reshaping Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis Care. HCPLive. Published July 21, 2026. Accessed July 22, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/new-nonsteroidal-options-reshaping-pediatric-atopic-dermatitis-care

Stein Gold L. Practice Pearls for Pediatric AD. Session presented at RAD 2026 in Nashville from June 17-19.

Most newer nonsteroidal topical options are now approved for children as young as 2 years. Linda Stein Gold, MD, discusses adherence and misconceptions of pediatric AD.

New Nonsteroidal Options Are Reshaping Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis Care

A wave of new nonsteroidal topical therapies has changed how clinicians can approach 

, according to Linda Stein Gold, MD, director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health.

Stein Gold presented "Practice Pearls for Pediatric AD" at the 

 Her session focused on what she described as an “explosion” of treatment options across several mechanisms of action.

Topical JAK, Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor, And PDE4 Options Expand the Toolbox

Topical ruxolitinib, a JAK inhibitor, has shown efficacy data supporting US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval down to age 2 years, Stein Gold said.

 The drug works well across body sites, though she recommends limiting use to 20% body surface area and avoiding long-term application.

Topical tapinarof, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist, also performed well in pooled AD data, Stein Gold noted.

 The adverse event profile differs from what was seen in psoriasis: folliculitis occurs less frequently, and contact dermatitis rates do not exceed those of the vehicle alone.

Topical roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor dosed once daily, rounds out the newer nonsteroidal options.

The drug is not yet approved for infants, but she said approval may come soon.

For adults with chronic hand eczema, Stein Gold pointed to delgocitinib, a pan-JAK inhibitor, as a needed addition. She called it a great tool for a condition that previously lacked strong treatment options.

Simplicity and Tolerability Drive Adherence in Pediatric AD

Asked about the biggest challenges in managing pediatric AD, Stein Gold emphasized keeping treatment regimens simple. She said that complex regimens strain the child, the parent, and the whole family; fewer steps set families up for success.

Tolerability is equally important, she added. A cream that stings or burns discourages continued use, particularly in children. Gold highlighted the favorable tolerability profiles across the newer nonsteroidal options.

“Although my section was really on top of therapy, I think it's critical to advance the systemic therapy as quickly as is indicated,” she concluded.

Editor’s note: Disclosures for Gold include AbbVie, Amgen, Arctis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB.

Gold L. Practice Pearls for Pediatric AD. Session presented at RAD 2026 in Nashville from June 17-19.

Smith T. FDA Approves Ruxolitinib Cream for Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis. HCPLive. Published September 18, 2026. Accessed on July 21, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/fda-approves-ruxolitinib-cream-for-pediatric-patients-with-atopic-dermatitis

Smith T. Roflumilast Cream Receives FDA Approval for Atopic Dermatitis. HCPLive. Published July 9, 2024. Accessed July 21, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/roflumilast-cream-receives-fda-approval-atopic-dermatitis

New topical mechanisms introduce more ways to control pediatric AD without the sting, burn, or long-term steroid concerns that limit adherence, Linda Stein Gold, MD, says.

Linda Stein Gold, MD

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