Tofacitinib blocks interferon-regulated biomarker genes in dermal and adventitial skin fibroblasts in early systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune, connective tissue disease characterized by vasculopathy and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Trends in efficacy outcome measures favored tofacitnib. Baseline gene expression in fibroblast and keratinocyte subpopulations indicates interferon (IFN) activated gene expression. We randomized 15 participants with early diffuse cutaneous SSc to tofacitinib 5 mg twice a day or matching placebo in a Phase I/II double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.