JAK Inhibitors Offer Hope For Vitiligo

Brett King, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Dermatology Yale University School of Medicine MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Brett King, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Dermatology
Yale University School of Medicine

Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. King: Treatment options for vitiligo are limited and often ineffective. This report highlights the possibility of targeted therapy of vitiligo using a relatively new class of medicines called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Based upon our understanding of vitiligo, JAK inhibition interrupts interferon gamma signaling, which perpetuates depigmentation.

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. King: There is hope that effective treatments will soon be available for vitiligo.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. King: Clinical trials using different JAK inhibitors, both topically and orally, are needed. Also, we need to better understand how important JAK 1/2 vs JAK 1/3 inhibition is to repigmentation.

Citation:

Craiglow BG, King BA. Tofacitinib Citrate for the Treatment of Vitiligo: A Pathogenesis-Directed Therapy. JAMA Dermatol. Published online June 24, 2015. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.1520.

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Brett King, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Dermatology, & Yale University School of Medicine (2015). JAK Inhibitors Offer Hope For Vitiligo 

Last Updated on June 26, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD