JAK inhibitors in lichen planus: a review of pathogenesis and treatments

• Published in: The Journal of dermatological treatment Vol. 33; no. 8; pp. 3098 - 3103
• Main Authors: Motamed-Sanaye, Ali, Khazaee, Yasaman Fatemeh, Shokrgozar, Motahareh, Alishahi, Maryam, Ahramiyanpour, Najmeh, Amani, Maliheh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 17.11.2022; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: barcitinib; Humans; Inflammation - drug therapy; JAK inhibitors; JAK pathway; Janus Kinase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Lichen planus; Lichen Planus - drug therapy; Lichen Planus - pathology; ruxolitinib; Skin - pathology; Skin Diseases - drug therapy; tofacitinib; upadacitinib; upadacitinib; barcitinib; JAK pathway; ruxolitinib; Lichen planus; JAK inhibitors; tofacitinib
• ISSN: 0954-6634; 1471-1753
• DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2022.2116926

Lichen planus (LP) is an auto-inflammatory skin disorder identified by a presence of T-cell lymphocytes at the dermal-epidermal junction. It is hypothesized that the INF-γ/CXCL10 axis fulfills a major role in the onset and persistence of chronic inflammation in LP. Since Janus kinases (JAKs) are involved in the transduction of INF-γ signals, they may be good targets for LP treatment. Several case reports and case series described the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib (2 articles), tofacitinib (6 articles), baricitinib (4 articles), and Ruxolitinib (1 Article) in the treatment of LP variants. The predominant variants that JAK inhibitors improved were lichen planopilaris, nail LP, and erosive LP. Considering the role of the JAK pathway in LP pathogenesis and the evidence provided by these reports, it seems JAK inhibitors would be effective therapeutic agents for LP treatment. Hence, these agents should be trialed and evaluated further.