Tofacitinib as the potent treatment for refractory pemphigus: A possible alternative treatment for pemphigus

Pemphigus is a rare, but life-threatening autoimmune disease with a high rate of morbidity and mortality, if left untreated. After the development of corticosteroid therapy in the 1950s, the death rate for pemphigus has significantly decreased. However, finding more potent therapeutic options for refractory patients has remained a controversial topic. In the recent years, rituximab has increasingly been used for the treatment of refractory pemphigus, but some patients do not well-respond. In addition, there is a paucity of evidence to support the risk of diseases exacerbation after rituximab therapy. In this study, as a JAK1 and JAK3 inhibitor, tofacitinib has been proposed for the treatment of refractory pemphigus patients.