Efficacy and safety of tofacitinib for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that targets JAK1 and JAK3, and thus regulates immune response. Therefore, tofacitinib is used to treat immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as chronic plaque psoriasis. The objective of this study was to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in treating chronic plaque psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. METHODS: Databases including PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials about the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in treating chronic plaque psoriasis from inception to August 2017 (PROSPERO Code No: CRD42017076587). RESULTS: Six articles (seven randomized controlled trial studies) involving 3743 patients were included. The meta-analysis results showed that for efficacy, tofacitinib (5 mg or 10 mg) compared with placebo can significantly improve the Physician’s Global Assessment response, PASI75, and PASI90 after treatment. For safety, the incidence of adverse reactions was statistically significantly higher for tofacitinib compared with placebo. CONCLUSION: Treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis with tofacitinib is effective, but there may be more adverse reactions.