Treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus scarring alopecia with deucravacitinib: A case report

Abstract

Discoid lupus erythematosus is a chronic, recurring, autoimmune skin disease causing annular, scarring plaques on the head and neck. Deucravacitinib, a tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor in the Janus kinase inhibitor family, represents an emerging treatment option in systemic lupus erythematosus with potential applicability to discoid lupus erythematosus. We describe a 48-year-old woman with multiple treatment-refractory scalp plaques and associated alopecia treated with deucravacitinib. She demonstrated resolution of symptoms and 1–2 cm hair regrowth at a 3-month follow-up, with significant hair regrowth and reduction in plaque size at a 6-month follow-up. The patient tolerated the medication well with no side effects. This case highlights the potential of deucravacitinib as an effective therapy for refractory discoid lupus erythematosus.