JAK inhibitors in dermatology

Abstract

The four Janus Kinase (JAK) proteins and seven signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) factors mediate the intracellular signaling pathway of cytokine receptors, which are described in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory dermatoses. The development of targeted small-molecule therapies like JAK inhibitors has enabled a paradigm shift in the treatment of various cutaneous disorders. JAK inhibitors are effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, alopecia areata, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, mastocytosis, etc. Various blood parameters include complete blood count, liver, and renal function, the viral marker to be checked and tuberculosis to be ruled out before starting the therapy. There is a risk of acquiring serious infections such as upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, reactivation of latent tuberculosis, opportunistic infections, hepatitis B virus reactivation, and alteration of various blood parameters; so regular monitoring is required. The use of JAK inhibitors will open a new horizon by reducing the burden of systemic steroids and other non-specific immunosuppressants in the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory dermatoses.