Janus kinase inhibitors and adverse events of acne in dermatologic indications: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background

The occurrence of acne in patients treated with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for skin diseases is a potential issue, which may reduce treatment adherence. Purpose: To systematically analyzes randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of JAK inhibitors in dermatological indications for the risk of acne as an adverse event.

Methods

A meta-analysis of odds ratios (ORs) for acne incidence was conducted. Data were quantitatively synthesized using random-effects meta-analysis. Surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values representing the relative ranking probabilities of treatments were obtained. Analyses were performed using R statistical software version 4.4.0.

Results

A total of 11,396 patients were included from 24 studies. The incidence of acne for JAK inhibitors was ranked according to the SUCRA as follows: JAK1 inhibitors > TYK2 inhibitors > combined JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitors > combined JAK1 and TYK2 inhibitors > JAK3 + TEC inhibitors > pan-JAK inhibitors. ORs were higher for longer durations of drug use and larger dosages. Subgroup analyses by disease indication revealed increased ORs for psoriasis (5.52 [95% CI, 1.39-21.88]), vitiligo (4.15 [95% CI, 1.27-13.58]), alopecia areata (3.86 [95% CI, 1.58-9.42]), and atopic dermatitis (2.82 [95% CI, 1.75-4.54]). The use of JAK inhibitors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may not significantly increase the incidence of acne.

Conclusions

There are higher rates of acne following treatment with JAK inhibitors for dermatologic indications, particularly with longer durations and larger dosages. Pan-JAK inhibitors exhibit the lowest incidence of acne.