JAK-inhibitors in dermatology: current evidence and future applications

The Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway is a ubiquitous intracellular signaling network. Selective JAK-inhibitors have anti-inflammatory properties and have been approved in many countries for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (tofacitinib, baricitinib) and myelofibrosis or polycythemia vera (ruxolitinib). The aim of the publication was to summarize and critically analyze the efficacy and safety of JAK-inhibitors in skin diseases, such as psoriasis, alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis and vitiligo. Databases PubMed, Scopus and EBSCO were searched. After exclusions, 17 articles were analyzed (11 randomized clinical trials, 4 case reports, 1 retrospective study of a case series and 1 nonrandomized pilot study). The strongest evidence of JAK-inhibitor efficacy was established for treatment of psoriasis. Additionally, data are available on the potential efficacy of JAK-inhibitors in alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis and vitiligo. Mostly, JAK-inhibitors are used orally. However, there are studies showing efficacy of topical administration of this group of drugs in psoriasis and vitiligo. Further research is needed, especially the head-to-head comparison studies with JAK-inhibitors and current therapeutic methods to verify the superiority of this new group of drugs in dermatological diseases.