VIDEO: JAK inhibitors in dermatology effective, ‘safer than we could have ever hoped for’

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Janus kinase inhibitors are an incredibly important, new tool that have exemplified both high efficacy and safety, according to a speaker at South Beach Symposium.

In an interview with Healio, Christopher G. Bunick, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine and South Beach Symposium senior planning committee member, discussed the session he chaired on Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors at this year’s symposium.

According to Bunick, JAK inhibitors deliver a rapid, fast onset of action that translates to true clinical improvement in atopic dermatitis within merely weeks and even days.

“But that’s not all JAK inhibitors are being used for,” he said as he highlighted other indications for the medication class including rheumatic diseases and hidradenitis suppurativa.

While the FDA’s black box warning on JAK inhibitors rattled the dermatologic community, Bunick elucidated further information in support of their safety.

“JAK inhibitors are proving to be safer than we could have ever hoped for,” he said. “There may even be a more protective effect from JAK inhibitors than we realize.”