Janus Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis: Focus on Abrocitinib, Baricitinib, and Upadacitinib

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a clinically heterogenous, inflammatory skin condition with a high impact on patients’ daily activities that remains difficult to treat. The knowledge acquired over the last decade on AD pathophysiology and disease burden led to the development of new targeted therapeutic options that enable clinicians to better manage AD patients. The JAK/STAT signaling pathway modulates several immune pathways (T helper (Th)1, Th2, Th17, and Th22 cells) that have been found to be involved in AD pathogenesis. For this reason, JAK inhibitors emerged as a possible therapy for AD. Baricitinib, upadacitinib, and abrocitinib are the three oral JAK inhibitors already approved or in advanced clinical development for this purpose. The results showed that this drug class is highly effective achieving symptomatic relief (itch control) in the short term, as well as improving disease severity in the short and medium term. However, their efficacy should be balanced with possible side effects, that have been reported in clinical trials. More data on the long-term efficacy and safety, as well as from head-to-head comparisons and from real-world setting will be crucial to position oral JAK inhibitors in the AD therapeutic armamentarium.