Open AccessIncreased Fungal Infections while using Emerging Therapies (Biologics and Small-molecule Inhibitors) for Treating Skin Diseases: A Review
Author(s) -
Jung Eun Kim,
Kyung Jae Lee
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
korean journal of medical mycology/daehan'yi jin'gyun haghoeji
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.101
H-Index - 9
eISSN - 2465-8278
pISSN - 1226-4709
DOI - 10.17966/jmi.2021.26.3.57
Subject(s) - psoriasis , medicine , atopic dermatitis , alopecia areata , infliximab , psoriatic arthritis , immunology , dermatology , janus kinase , tumor necrosis factor alpha , cytokine
Biologics, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin inhibitors, are commonly used for treating immunological skin diseases, including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and atopic dermatitis. The cluster of differentiation inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors has also been used for treating bullous disorders and melanoma, respectively. Other small-molecule inhibitors, such as JAK inhibitors, have been introduced for treating atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata. Hence, given the importance of cytokines and small molecules in antifungal immunity, using these new treatments are proposed to increase the risk of fungal infections. Thus, this review presents an overview of the reported incidences and possible mechanisms of fungal infections related to the use of biologics, including small-molecule inhibitors used for dermatological treatments.