Bunick Highlights Efficacy and Safety of JAK Inhibitors

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology and translational biomedicine at Yale School of Medicine, recently spoke at the 2025 South Beach Symposium in Miami, Florida. As the medical chair of the curriculum, he addressed the use of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, emphasizing their efficacy, safety, and emerging role in dermatology.

During his presentation, Bunick highlighted key findings from head-to-head clinical trials comparing JAK inhibitors, such as upadacitinib and abrocitinib, with dupilumab. According to Bunick, these trials demonstrated that "patients did better in terms of quicker onset of skin and itch relief," underscoring the growing recognition that rapid symptom control is essential for optimizing treatment outcomes in atopic dermatitis. He noted that achieving simultaneous relief of skin symptoms and pruritus is becoming the new standard of care.

In addition to efficacy, Bunick addressed concerns regarding the safety profile of JAK inhibitors, particularly given the presence of boxed warnings associated with these medications. He reassured attendees by emphasizing that "the safety record that now extends 6 years of use with these oral, systemic JAK inhibitors really shows that there are benefits." He noted that data indicate lower major adverse cardiovascular events and thromboembolic events in patients with atopic dermatitis treated with JAK inhibitors compared to the general atopic dermatitis population. "What we're learning is these medicines are safer than we could have hoped for," he explained, adding that JAK inhibitors may have additional anti-inflammatory benefits that could mitigate cardiovascular risks as individuals age.

Bunick also discussed the potential of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitors in dermatology, particularly for the treatment of psoriasis. He provided insights into the efficacy and safety of deucravacitinib and emerging TYK2 inhibitors like zasocitinib, which represent a promising next generation of treatments. His presentation emphasized that ongoing research and innovation continue to refine the therapeutic landscape for inflammatory skin diseases.

Overall, Bunick’s discussion at the South Beach Symposium reinforced the evolving role of JAK and TYK2 inhibitors as effective and increasingly safe options for patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, providing clinicians with valuable insights into their application in dermatologic care.