JAK inhibitors in dermatology: The promise of a new drug class

William Damsky, Brett A King, William Damsky, Brett A King

Abstract

New molecularly targeted therapeutics are changing dermatologic therapy. Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) is an intracellular signaling pathway upon which many different proinflammatory signaling pathways converge. Numerous inflammatory dermatoses are driven by soluble inflammatory mediators, which rely on JAK-STAT signaling, and inhibition of this pathway using JAK inhibitors might be a useful therapeutic strategy for these diseases. Growing evidence suggests that JAK inhibitors are efficacious in atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, psoriasis, and vitiligo. Additional evidence suggests that JAK inhibition might be broadly useful in dermatology, with early reports of efficacy in several other conditions. JAK inhibitors can be administered orally or used topically and represent a promising new class of medications. The use of JAK inhibitors in dermatology is reviewed here.

Keywords: JAK inhibitor; JAK-STAT; alopecia areata; atopic dermatitis; baricitinib; psoriasis; ruxolitinib; tofacitinib; vitiligo.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement:

W.D. has no conflicts of interest to declare.

Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
JAK-STAT signaling pathway. JAK inhibitors antagonize JAK protein function and prevent activation of the pathway.

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