Refractory eosinophilic pustular folliculitis treated with tofacitinib: a case series and literature review.

Abstract

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is an uncommon skin condition that presents as follicular papules or pustules. The treatment of EPF is challenging because of the high relapse rates. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib as a treatment for EPF. We present three patients with refractory EPF who were successfully treated with tofacitinib at our clinic. We also conducted a literature review using the PubMed database to gain further insight into this promising therapy. Our patients were effectively treated with tofacitinib. To the best of our knowledge, only three other patients with EPF treated with Janus kinase inhibitors have been reported and reviewed: one treated with tofacitinib and two with abrocitinib. Complete remission was observed in all patients - both our patients and the patients in the other studies - with no adverse events or relapses reported during an average follow-up period of 4.3 months. Tofacitinib may be an emerging alternative treatment option for patients with EPF. Larger randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings.