The Role of JAK Inhibitors in the Treatment of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: A Review

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), a manifestation of the chronic autoimmune disease lupus erythematosus (LE), showcases diverse clinical, immunologic, and histologic attributes. CLE can be further categorized into subtypes -- acute (ACLE), subacute (SCLE), or chronic (CCLE) -- with each class characterized by distinct features, including the degree of cutaneous involvement, lesion duration, and associated laboratory findings. While conventional treatments, including photoprotective strategies, topical corticosteroids, and antimalarial agents, have proven effective for some, recent immunomodulatory therapies offer alternative avenues. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, in particular, have gained attention due to their demonstrated efficacy in the management of various autoimmune disorders. Dysregulation of the JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of CLE, further underscoring the promise of JAK inhibitors as an adjunctive therapy alongside systemic immunosuppression. This systematic review aims to discuss the diagnosis and categorization of CLE and its subtypes, elucidate the intricacies of intracellular signaling within the JAK/STAT pathway, and discuss the current applications of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of autoimmune disease. Supported by cases, randomized control trials, basic science articles, and other reviews in the literature, this review provides evidence for the use of the JAK/STAT pathway as a therapeutic target. Nevertheless, the role of JAK inhibitors and their therapeutic properties warrant further scrutiny through rigorous investigation and comprehensive randomized control trials to ascertain safety and efficacy. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(12):1100-1107. doi:10.36849/JDD.8045.