Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42625120›Full record

ReviewDermatology and therapy2026

Modern Therapies for Discoid Lupus Erythematosus: A Narrative Review.

Anshu Jonnalagadda, Rhys L Richmond, Gaurav N Pathak, Amar D Desai, Ummuguslum Yildiz-Altay, Jeffrey R Gehlhausen, Matthew D Vesely

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Dermatology and therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Anshu JonnalagaddaDepartment of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
Rhys L RichmondDepartment of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
Gaurav N PathakDepartment of Dermatology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Somerset, NJ, USA.
Amar D DesaiDepartment of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Ummuguslum Yildiz-AltayDepartment of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
Jeffrey R GehlhausenDepartment of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
Matthew D VeselyDepartment of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA. matthew.vesely@yale.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9363-945X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDiscoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common chronic form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus and can lead to scarring, dyspigmentation, and permanent alopecia. The disease often causes visible disfigurement and has a substantial psychosocial impact. Although many patients respond to standard treatment, a subset continues to experience persistent or relapsing disease that remains difficult to control.

methodsA focused literature search was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify English-language studies published from January 1990 through October 2025. Search terms included "discoid lupus erythematosus," "cutaneous lupus erythematosus," "chronic cutaneous lupus," "pathogenesis," "therapy," "antimalarial," "immunosuppressant," "biologic therapy," "JAK inhibitor," "small molecule therapy," and "targeted therapy." Recent clinical trials, consensus guidelines, and review articles were prioritized. Reference lists of key publications were manually screened to capture additional relevant studies.

resultsCurrent first-line topical pharmacotherapeutic treatment options of DLE include photoprotection, topical corticosteroids, and calcineurin inhibitors for localized disease, and antimalarial therapy as a first-line systemic treatment. For refractory disease, systemic immunosuppressants remain common second-line options. Emerging therapies targeting interferon and cytokine signaling pathways, including anifrolumab, belimumab, and tyrosine kinase (TYK2) inhibitors such as deucravacitinib and the plasmacytoid dendritic cell modulators litifilimab and daxdilimab have shown early promise in improving cutaneous disease activity in patients with refractory DLE. Procedural modalities such as laser therapy are being studied as adjuncts for scarring and dyspigmentation.

conclusionsOngoing advances in understanding the immune mechanisms underlying DLE are shaping a transition from broad immunosuppression toward more targeted treatment strategies. Integrating newer biologic and small-molecule therapies with conventional management may offer improved control and better long-term outcomes for patients with chronic disease.

Indexed as

AnifrolumabAntimalarialBelimumabChronic cutaneous lupusCutaneous lupus erythematosusDaxdilimabDeucravacitinibDiscoid lupus erythematosusEnpatoranLitifilimab

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.