The emerging role of Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibition in urticaria management.

Abstract

Introduction: Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a cytoplasmic signaling protein expressed across a variety of immune cells, terminally differentiated plasma cells, and natural killer cells. Due to the signal potential and targetable nature of BTK, the use of BTK inhibitors (BTKis) has been proposed for the management of several diseases. Currently, the use of BTKis is under investigations for several dermatological conditions such as pemphigus, systemic lupus erythematosus, hidradenitis suppurativa, atopic dermatitis, and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).

Areas covered: The aim of this review is to delve into the use of BTKis in the management of CSU, in order to explore the potential of therapeutic inhibition of BTK in patients with CSU. A thorough analysis of the existing medical literature was conducted across the PubMed, Ovid, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to 17 August 2024.

Expert opinion: BTK use may represent a breakthrough in the management of CSU. Indeed, their use is characterized by oral administration and a favorable mechanism of action that acts on a significant pathogenic pathway rather than a single molecule. However, long-term studies are needed to further investigate safety data, although data from registered trials appear to be reassuring.