| Summary: | Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are small molecule inhibitors that restrict proinflammatory pathways and are used in various autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, thus gaining significant threshold in dermatology. Abrocitinib, a JAK 1 inhibitor, was first approved in 2021 for use in atopic dermatitis (AD) and has been shown to be effective and safe in most cases. Since its approval, abrocitinib has also been reported to be varyingly successful in a group of other dermatological conditions and is a relatively safe drug. Our comprehensive review is based on an extensive PubMed search of all published literature on the use of abrocitinib in dermatological disorders with the exclusion of AD whereby we identified and included 37 papers. These include diverse eczematous, autoimmune, inflammatory, and keratinization disorders. Beyond AD, the largest number of patients were reported for vitiligo, hand eczema, chronic pruritus, and prurigo nodularis, all of which reported favorable outcomes. Pharmacodynamic studies have shown a dose-dependent decrease in platelet counts and disruption in lipid levels. Other mild adverse effects include nausea and dizziness which do not merit drug discontinuation. Our review highlights the broad usefulness that abrocitinib has as a therapeutic agent in inflammatory and autoimmune dermatoses, often when used as a single therapeutic agent, and has predictable safety and tolerability profiles. A larger number of randomized controlled trials are required to validate the off-label uses of abrocitinib and to optimize dosing strategies. This review also includes information about dosing recommendations, drug monitoring, and the use of oral abrocitinib in special patient groups.
|
|---|