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

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 Apr;76(4):736-744. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2016.12.005. Epub 2017 Jan 28.

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alopecia Areata / drug therapy
  • Alopecia Areata / enzymology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Azetidines / adverse effects
  • Azetidines / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / drug therapy
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / enzymology
  • Dermatologic Agents / adverse effects
  • Dermatologic Agents / classification
  • Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Nitriles
  • Piperidines / adverse effects
  • Piperidines / therapeutic use
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy
  • Psoriasis / enzymology
  • Purines
  • Pyrazoles / adverse effects
  • Pyrazoles / therapeutic use
  • Pyrimidines / adverse effects
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Pyrroles / adverse effects
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Skin Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Skin Diseases / enzymology
  • Sulfonamides / adverse effects
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use
  • Vitiligo / drug therapy
  • Vitiligo / enzymology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Azetidines
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Nitriles
  • Piperidines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Purines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • Sulfonamides
  • ruxolitinib
  • tofacitinib
  • oclacitinib
  • Janus Kinases
  • baricitinib