JAK-STAT signaling pathway inhibition: a role for treatment of various dermatologic diseases.

Abstract

Cutaneous inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, vitiligo, and connective tissue diseases often remain a challenge to treat. Although there is an in-depth understanding of the clinical presentation of these diseases, much less is known regarding the pathophysiology. This has limited the effective treatment options for patients. A more detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of each disease will lead to newer targeted medications with less morbidity. Though there are different pathways involved in these diseases, the Janus Kinase (JAK)-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription proteins (STAT) signaling pathway is common to them all. Therefore, this review article endeavors to substantiate the immunopathology and clinical utility of the JAK inhibitors as treatments for different chronic inflammatory diseases of the skin.