Demographics and clinical presentations of 844 patients with light and dark skin types with polymorphous light eruption and chronic actinic dermatitis evaluated over 23 years

Successful Treatment of Chronic Actinic Dermatitis with Tofacitinib

We present the case of a 58-year-old male patient who presented with pruritic skin plaques and papules on the scalp, face, back, and back of the hands for over a year. The symptoms worsened upon exposure to sunlight and improved on cloudy days. Despite previous attempts at treatment with glucocorticoid ointment and antihistamine drugs, the patient experienced progressive aggravation of symptoms. Physical examination revealed hypertrophic and infiltrating nodules, with significant scratches and local exudation. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of sun-induced dermatosis. The patient was initiated on tofacitinib, an oral Janus Kinase inhibitor, along with a halometasone ointment, oral ebastine tablets, and strict sun protection. Over the course of four revisits spanning four months, the patient experienced a significant improvement in symptoms, with the rash almost disappearing and pruritus subsiding. The treatment was well tolerated and no adverse effects were observed. Follow-up for six months post-treatment showed no recurrence of symptoms. This case highlights the efficacy of tofacitinib in managing sun-induced pruritic plaques and suggests it as a potential therapeutic option in similar cases.

Tofacitinib: A Treatment Option for Recalcitrant Polymorphic Light Eruption and Its Mechanistic Rationale

Background: Polymorphous light eruption is largely characterized by a delayed-type (type IV) hypersensitivity reaction to 1 or more undefined endogenous ultraviolet-induced skin antigens. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of tofacitinib in refractory cases of polymorphous light eruption. Methods: Seven patients who had failed multiple systemic treatments or relapsed within 2 weeks of existing systemic agents with concomitant photoprotection were offered tofacitinib after written consent. Results: Initiation of tofacitinib led to a marked reduction of itching (mean ± SD 3.1 ± 1.12 days) followed by clinical resolution (mean ± SD 2.6 ± 1.1 weeks). The duration of therapy ranged from 1 to 3 months (mean ± SD 2 ± 0.63 months), and 4 of 7 patients had a recurrence in 5.5 weeks and were again initiated on tofacitinib with a prompt response. Conclusion: Tofacitinib inhibits Janus kinase (JAK)1 and JAK3 thus it can abrogate the effects of the predominant cytokine milieu of polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) and thus reduce the expression of aberrant inflammatory T lymphocyte expression in PMLE.