JAK inhibitors in vitiligo

A mouse-model study suggests that the IFNγ/CXCL10 axis plays a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Moreover, a recently published proof-of-concept study showed that a cream containing the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor ruxolitinib is indeed effective in vitiligo [1,2]. Vitiligo patients have increased numbers of autoreactive, melanocyte-specific CD8+ T cells in their skin and blood, which are directly responsible for melanocyte destruction. In addition, gene expression in lesional skin from vitiligo patients revealed an IFNγ-specific signature, including the chemokine CXCL10. Experimental data in a mouse model identified a critical role for CXCL10 in both the progression and maintenance of vitiligo, thereby supporting inhibition of CXCL10 as a targeted treatment strategy for vitiligo patients [3]. Since IFNγ signal transduction occurs through JAK1 and 2, JAK inhibitors could lead to blockade of IFNγ signalling and downstream CXCL10 expression. I...

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Posted on 17 December, 202018 December, 2020