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Home › Conditions › dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis

Part of Polymyositis

3 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for dermatomyositis

17 trials tracked for dermatomyositis: 8 in phase 3 or 4 and 4 with published results. The most-cited published study has 232 citations.

17Trials tracked
8Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
4With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 2 Phase 3 6 Phase 2 8 Phase 1 1
  1. Phase 3 Five-year Actively Controlled Clinical Trial in New Onset Juvenile Dermatomyositis Completed · 232 cited
  2. Phase 3 Study Evaluating Efficacy and Safety of Octagam 10% in Patients With Dermatomyositis (Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy) Completed · 207 cited
  3. Phase 3 Investigation in Myositis-associated Pneumonitis of Prednisolone And Concomitant Tacrolimus Completed · 46 cited
  4. Phase 4 Abatacept in Juvenile Dermatomyositis Completed · 28 cited
  5. Phase 4 Efficacy and Safety of H.P. Acthar Gel for the Treatment of Refractory Cutaneous Manifestations of Dermatomyositis Completed
  6. Phase 3 Combined Treatment of Methotrexate + Glucocorticoids Versus Glucocorticoids Alone in Patients With PM and DM Completed
Show 11 more trials
  1. Phase 3 Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Abatacept in Combination With Standard Therapy Compared to Standard Therapy Alone in Improving Disease Activity in Adults With Active Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy Completed
  2. Phase 3 Sodium Thiosulfate for Treatment of Calcinosis Associated With Juvenile and Adult Dermatomyositis Completed
  3. Phase 2 A Phase 2 Study of KZR-616 to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy in Patients With Active Polymyositis or Dermatomyositis Completed
  4. Phase 2 An Extension Study for Participants Who Have Completed the Treatment Period of a Qualifying Parent Study Completed
  5. Phase 2 Trial of IMO-8400 in Adult Patients With Dermatomyositis Completed
  6. Phase 2 Rituximab for the Treatment of Refractory Adult and Juvenile Dermatomyositis (DM) and Adult Polymyositis (PM) Completed
  7. Phase 2 Open-label Extension to the Phase 2 Crossover Study (PRESIDIO) Evaluating KZR-616 in Patients With PM and DM. Completed
  8. Phase 2 Tocilizumab in the Treatment of Refractory Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis Completed
  9. Phase 2 Acthar in Treatment of Refractory Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis Completed
  10. Phase 2 A Study In Adults With Moderate To Severe Dermatomyositis Completed
  11. Phase 1 A Pilot Study of Etanercept in Dermatomyositis Completed

Showing the 17 most-cited and recently-updated of 17 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found For clinicians

Dermatomyositis: what the trials found

Abatacept demonstrated significant clinical benefits in dermatomyositis, including a mean Total Improvement Score of 53.8 and statistically significant improvements in Physician Global Activity (p<0.001) and steroid-sparing effects with a reduction in corticosteroid dose (p=0.002) 1. However, subcutaneous administration of Abatacept did not show a statistically significant difference in the number of participants achieving the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Definition of Improvement (IMACS DOI) at week 24 compared to placebo (p=0.083) 7.

Specific interventions for cutaneous manifestations and complications include H.P. Acthar Gel, which showed significant improvements in Cutaneous Dermatomyositis scores (p<0.001), Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) Visual Acuity Score (p<0.001), and Patient Assessment of Dermatomyositis (p=0.002) 2. Sodium Thiosulfate was evaluated for calcinosis, showing a reduction in Calcinosis Activity Visual Analogue Scale scores, though results for Quality of Life and Mawdsley Calcinosis Questionnaire scores were mixed 6.

Other established treatments include Octagam 10% (showing significant improvements in CDASI and MMT-8 scores) 4, KZR-616 (demonstrating mean TIS improvements across multiple cohorts) [10, 11], and standard therapies such as Prednisone 8 and Tacrolimus 5. Pulse and continuous prednisone regimens were associated with significant responder rates and shorter times to clinical remission 3.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • Anti-Beta Interferon (PF-06823859) showed reductions in CDASI Activity Scores at various intervals, though not yet corroborated.
  • PF-06823859 low dose showed significant reduction in CDASI Activity Score at week 12 across several stages, but not yet corroborated.
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Gel showed a statistically significant steroid-sparing effect in refractory patients (p<0.01), but not yet corroborated.
  • Tocilizumab, Rituximab, and Etanercept were evaluated in various phases but are currently not corroborated.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • Abatacept is associated with measurable improvements in physician-rated activity and significant steroid-sparing effects 1.
  • H.P. Acthar Gel shows efficacy in improving cutaneous dermatomyositis scores and visual acuity assessments 2.
  • Octagam 10% demonstrates statistically significant improvements in both cutaneous disease severity (CDASI) and muscle strength (MMT-8) 4.

AI synthesis of 8 cited trials, updated Jun 23, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Brepocitinib 30 mg improved Total Improvement Score versus placebo in dermatomyositis patients over 52 weeks
Drug Pipeline RCT
Brepocitinib 30 mg improved Total Improvement Score versus placebo in dermatomyositis patients over 52 weeks New Pill Eases Stubborn Muscle and Skin Disease Symptoms
This Phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 241 adults with dermatomyositis. The once-daily oral brepocitinib …
• Brepocitinib 30 mg significantly improves muscle strength and skin rashes • Helps adults with treatment-resistant dermatomyositis regain d…
May 14, 2026
Male sex and advanced age associated with higher risk of RP-ILD in anti-MDA5 dermatomyositis patients
Allergy & Immunology Meta-analysis
Male sex and advanced age associated with higher risk of RP-ILD in anti-MDA5 dermatomyositis patients Some Patients With This Rare Lung-Muscle Disease Face Faster Decline
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 studies evaluated factors associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-I…
Men and older adults with a rare autoimmune lung disease are at higher risk of rapid, life-threatening lung damage, a new review finds.
Frontiers Apr 16, 2026
JSLE linked to higher CVD risk factors than JDM in adults with childhood-onset autoimmune diseases
Rheumatology Cohort
JSLE linked to higher CVD risk factors than JDM in adults with childhood-onset autoimmune diseases Study compares heart health risks in adults with childhood-onset lupus or dermatomyositis
A single-centre longitudinal cohort study of 76 JSLE and 79 JDM adults found JSLE had higher hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and cholesterol le…
Adults with childhood lupus face higher heart risks like high blood pressure and cholesterol compared to those with juvenile dermatomyositis…
medRxiv Apr 13, 2026