Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 May-Jun;27(3):271-276.
doi: 10.1177/12034754231156100. Epub 2023 Feb 23.

The Use of Janus Kinase Inhibitors for Lichen Planus: An Evidence-Based Review

Abrahim Abduelmula  1 , Ahmed Bagit  2 , Asfandyar Mufti  3 , Katie C Y Yeung  4 , Jensen Yeung  3   5   6   7
Affiliations

The Use of Janus Kinase Inhibitors for Lichen Planus: An Evidence-Based Review

Abrahim Abduelmula et al. J Cutan Med Surg. 2023 May-Jun.

Abstract

Background: Lichen Planus (LP) is a dermatological disorder characterized by violaceous papules that affect the cutaneous region, nails, scalp, and mucous membranes. Current molecular and clinical studies point to the Janus Kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway as a potential effector of LP pathology.

Objective: This systematic review summarizes the current reported literature outcomes for patients receiving JAK inhibitors to treat LP.

Methods: MEDLINE and Embase were searched on 16 October, 2022, and 15 original articles were included, with 56 LP patients.

Results: (mean age: 54.5 years, range: 26-81 years, male: 26.8%). The treatment outcomes were included for the following JAK inhibitors: tofacitinib (n = 30), baricitinib (n = 16), ruxolitinib (n = 12), and upadacitinib (n = 2). Patient outcomes were classified into complete resolution, partial resolution, and no resolution. Patients achieving complete resolution represented 25% (n = 4/16) in the baricitinib group, 10% (n = 3/30) in the tofacitinib group, 16.7% (n = 2/12) in the ruxolitinib group, and 100% (2/2) in the upadacitinib group. Partial resolution patients represented 31.3% (n = 5/16) of baricitinib patients, 60% (n = 18/30) of tofacitinib patients, and 83% (n = 10/12) of ruxolitinib patients. 43.8% (n = 7/16) of baricitinib patients and 10% (n = 9/30) of tofacitinib patients had no resolution of lesions.

Conclusion: This review also highlights the significance of utilizing a uniform outcome measure for LP, as it aids in reporting more generalizable results, reduces reporting bias, and ultimately lead to improved clinical outcomes for LP patients.

Keywords: JAK inhibitor; evidence-based; lichen planus; systematic review; systemic; therapeutics.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Mr. Abrahim Abduelmula has no relevant disclosures. Mr. Ahmed Bagit has no relevant disclosures. Ms. Katie C.Y. Yeung has no relevant disclosures. Dr. Asfandyar Mufti has no relevant disclosures. Dr. Jensen Yeung has been an advisor, consultant, speaker, and/or investigator for AbbVie, Allergan, Amgen, Astellas, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Centocor, Coherus, Dermira, Eli Lilly, Forward, Galderma, GSK, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Medimmune, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi Genzyme, Sun Pharma, Takeda, UCB, Valeant, and Xenon.

References

    1. Boyd AS., Neldner KH. Lichen planus. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1991;25(4):593-619.10.1016/0190-9622(91)70241-S - DOI - PubMed
    1. Schwager Z., Stern M., Cohen J., Femia A. Clinical epidemiology and treatment of lichen planus: a retrospective review of 2 tertiary care centers. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81(6):1397-1399.10.1016/j.jaad.2019.04.027 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Rhodus NL., Cheng B., Ondrey F. Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio in tissue transudates from patients with oral lichen planus. Mediators Inflamm. 2007;2007:1-5.10.1155/2007/19854 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Nosratzehi T. Oral lichen planus: an overview of potential risk factors, biomarkers and treatments. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2018;19(5):1161-1167.10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.5.1161 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Cinats A., Heck E., Robertson L. Janus kinase inhibitors: a review of their emerging applications in dermatology. Skin Therapy Lett. 2018;23(3):5-9. - PubMed

Publication types