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Xeljanz used to treat refractory cutaneous dermatomyositis
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Patients with cutaneous dermatomyositis treated with Xeljanz experienced clinical improvement in symptoms, according to study results published in JAMA Dermatology.
Researchers studied three women with refractory cutaneous dermatomyositis who were treated twice daily with Xelanz (tofacitinib citrate, Pfizer). They observed a clinical response after 4 weeks. The mean treatment period was 9.6 months.
The three patients had Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index activity scores that decreased, with a 12-point mean improvement. There were no adverse events reported.
Two patients received tofacitinib as monotherapy, while one patient continued using hydroxychloroquine.
Decreased pruritus was reported in all three patients, with strength and fatigue improvement reported in two patients with classic dermatomyositis.
“In our series, improvement from moderate-to-severe to mild disease was seen in two patients, both of whom used tofacitinib as a monotherapy,” the researchers wrote. “The third experienced a lesser but still clinically significant response.”
One patient received a higher dose of tofacitinib (10 mg vs. 5 mg) and had a greater degree of improvement, “suggesting that its effect may be dose dependent,” the researchers wrote.
There were no observed incidents of herpes zoster.
“Our series represents the first to successfully use tofacitinib as a treatment for refractory cutaneous dermatomyositis,” the researchers concluded. “Given the limited number of agents available for management of recalcitrant skin disease, alternative options are needed. By mitigating the signaling cascades that are likely responsible for dermatomyositis, tofacitinib and other [Janus kinase] inhibitors may represent a rational therapeutic approach.” the researchers concluded. – by Bruce Thiel
Disclosure: Kurtzman reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the study for a full list of the other researchers’ relevant financial disclosures.
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