Efficacy of baricitinib at 12 weeks in this phase II trial was comparable to that of many other psoriatic skin disease medications.
When interleukin (IL)-12, IL-23, IL-22, IL-17, IL-6, IFN-γ, and type I interferons bind to their receptors, JAK1 and JAK2 proteins are activated, triggering signaling pathways that ultimately lead to transcription of genes involved in development of psoriatic skin lesions. The JAK proteins are therefore an attractive target for psoriasis treatment. Baricitinib, an oral inhibitor of JAK1/JAK2, has shown efficacy in phase III trials for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In this phase IIb, dose-ranging study, baricitinib was evaluated as treatment for moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis.
A total of 271 patients were randomized to receive placebo or doses of baricitinib ranging from 2 to 10 mg per day. At 12 weeks, 43% and 54% of the 8-mg …
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals
EquityVaxin
Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.
Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)
DisclosuresConsultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals
EquityVaxin
Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.
Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)