TOPLINE:

Monoclonal antibodies and JAK inhibitors demonstrated effectiveness in treating various idiopathic photosensitive skin disorders, with significant symptom improvement and clinical remission seen in most patients, according to a systematic review of 32 studies.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a systematic review of 32 studies to evaluate the efficacy of monoclonal antibodies and JAK inhibitors on idiopathic photosensitive skin conditions, such as photoaggravated eczema, actinic prurigo, chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD), solar urticaria, photoaggravated psoriasis, and polymorphic light eruption (PLE).
• Study types comprised 27 case series or reports, three systematic reviews, one retrospective case series, two retrospective studies, and two accepted abstracts.

TAKEAWAY:

• Across 10 studies, dupilumab demonstrated significant efficacy in treating CAD; improved lesions, erythema, and papules within 8-16 weeks; and enhanced tolerance to sun exposure. Significant improvements were seen in actinic prurigo (three studies) and photoaggravated eczema (one study) within 4 weeks with the use of dupilumab.
• Omalizumab showed effectiveness in treating solar urticaria (eight studies) and PLE (one study), with complete clinical remission achieved in most patients within 1-3 months of treatment. A study reported complete clearance of symptoms and sustained remission with the use of adalimumab, followed by ustekinumab, in patients with photoaggravated psoriasis.
• In five studies among patients with CAD, treatment with tofacitinib led to a rapid reduction in burning sensation on exposure to the sun, with complete remission of physical signs and symptoms typically occurring within 2 months. Patients with PLE in a single study observed clearance of pruritus within 2-3 days and clearance of lesions in 1-4 weeks.
• In two separate studies, patients with CAD experienced clearance of lesions and tolerated sun exposure within 9-12 months with the use of baricitinib and reported clearance of lesions within 4 weeks and sustained remission after 8 months with the use of upadacitinib.

IN PRACTICE:

"Investigating monoclonal antibodies and JAK inhibitors is essential, as their promising results may offer a critical advancement over existing treatment options," the authors wrote. "This review emphasizes the need for more research into monoclonal antibodies and JAK inhibitors, which could significantly improve treatment options for these patients and ensure better care for those affected," they added.

SOURCE:

This study was led by Jana Faisal Alawadhi, Centre for Dermatology Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, England. It was published online on November 04, 2025, in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology.

LIMITATIONS:

This study was limited by the reliance on case reports and small sample sizes due to the rarity of these conditions. The absence of standardised objective outcome measurement tools introduced bias. Variations in phototesting approaches globally could have affected data reliability. Additionally, many patients may have remained ineligible for biologics and JAK inhibitors due to the limited evidence and exclusion criteria in the existing studies.

DISCLOSURES:

This study did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors reported having no relevant conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.