JAK inhibitors could be promising in sarcoidosis treatment
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Key takeaways:
- Patients treated with the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib saw a dose-dependent response in the treatment of cutaneous sarcoidosis.
- Approximately 1,000 Americans die from sarcoidosis each year.
NEW ORLEANS — Janus kinase inhibitors could be promising in the treatment of cutaneous sarcoidosis, which currently has no FDA-approved treatment options, according to a speaker here.
“Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic inflammatory disorder,” William Damsky, MD, PhD, assistant professor of dermatology and pathology at Yale School of Medicine, said during a presentation at the Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium preceding the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting. “It is very common and Black Americans tend to be more commonly affected, as well as more severely affected, by the disease.”
While there are no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of cutaneous sarcoidosis, prednisone is approved for the treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Following a single case of off-label tofacitinib, which showed promising results, researchers conducted a 10-patient proof-of-concept study in which patients with sarcoidosis, many of whom were taking prednisone, began using the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib.
Six of the 10 patients in the study had a complete response, meaning a total improvement of Cutaneous Sarcoidosis Activity and Morphology Instrument after 6 months of treatment with tofacitinib 5 mg twice a day. The remaining four patients experienced partial responses. Additionally, many of the subjects were able to taper or discontinue prednisone use, according to Damsky.
The trial investigators hypothesize that interferon gamma inhibition is needed to treat sarcoidosis, but further trials are necessary to prove the concept.
“Sarcoidosis can be difficult to treat, but JAK inhibitors could be a promising approach for this disease. This medication can change people’s lives,” Damsky said.
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Damsky W. Jak inhibitors in the treatment of sarcoidosis. Presented at: Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium; March 16, 2023; New Orleans.
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