At the 2025 Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) Fall Conference in San Antonio, Dr. Gabriela Maloney from Forefront Dermatology delivered insights on the use of off-label Janus-kinase (JAK) inhibitors in dermatological treatments. In an interview with HCPLive following her session, Maloney addressed the comparative safety and efficacy of these medications against traditional options, such as systemic steroids and methotrexate.
Maloney highlighted that JAK inhibitors typically present a lower incidence of severe side effects. She stated, “When you compare it to side effects of chronic systemic steroid use, Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, osteonecrosis, you name it, those side effects pale in comparison.” She further contrasted this with methotrexate, describing it as a chemotherapy drug that inhibits DNA synthesis throughout the body and carries risks of pulmonary, renal, and bone marrow toxicity.
Despite the absence of direct comparative studies on the safety of JAK inhibitors versus these traditional treatments, Maloney emphasized the importance of discussing potential side effects among clinicians.
Emerging Treatments in Dermatology
During the interview, Maloney also discussed specific medications making waves in the dermatology field. Among them is abrocitinib, marketed as Cibinqo, which she noted is beneficial for treating conditions like vitiligo and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) without causing significant alterations in lipid levels or weight gain.
“There’s a lot of trials going on for [upadacitinib], or Rinvoq,” Maloney said, indicating that this drug is currently a hot topic in the field. She expressed optimism about the ongoing research, suggesting that more treatment options could be available soon.
Maloney’s insights underscore a shift in dermatological treatment paradigms, where the focus is increasingly on medications that minimize adverse effects while effectively managing chronic conditions. As new drugs like Cibinqo and Rinvoq enter the market, they may offer dermatologists and patients new hope.
For further updates on dermatological advancements discussed at the 2025 SDPA Fall Conference, please visit our latest conference coverage. The quotes in this summary have been edited for clarity.
