Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
11:39
The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
38.9K
Tofacitinib for Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris: A Case Report
Hongyan Tan1, Bin Zhang1, Xiawei Kang1
1Department of Dermatology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 400011, People's Republic of China.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
|September 2, 2024
Summary
Tofacitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, shows significant efficacy and safety for treating pityriasis rubra pilaris. This offers a promising new therapeutic option for this rare skin condition.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare chronic skin disorder.
- Limited treatment options exist for PRP, with recent interest in biological agents.
- The efficacy and safety of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for PRP are not well-established.
Observation:
- This case report details the treatment of a patient with pityriasis rubra pilaris using tofacitinib.
- Tofacitinib is an oral small molecule inhibitor targeting the JAK/STAT pathway.
- The patient experienced significant clinical improvement without notable adverse effects.
Findings:
- Tofacitinib demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in treating pityriasis rubra pilaris.
- The therapeutic effect is potentially mediated by the inhibition of the JAK/STAT pathway.
- This pathway inhibition may reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-17, IL-12/IL-23, IL-23, and TNF-α.
Implications:
- Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, specifically tofacitinib, represent a potential new therapeutic avenue for pityriasis rubra pilaris.
- Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm the safety and efficacy of JAK inhibitors in a larger PRP patient cohort.
- This finding could reshape treatment strategies for refractory or severe cases of pityriasis rubra pilaris.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:30Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),...
01:27Acne Infection
Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...