Autoimmune Skin Diseases: Origin, Classification, Progression, and Advanced Therapeutic Strategies

Abstract

Globally, the incidence of complex skin diseases such as psoriasis and lupus erythematosus is continuously increasing, and current therapies often fail to achieve complete disease remission. This review explores the pathogenesis, classification, and progression of autoimmune skin diseases, as well as several promising emerging treatment strategies, including JAK-STAT inhibitors, gene and cell therapies, microbiome regulation, and the application of nanotechnology. These strategies aim to enhance disease management efficacy and improve patients’ quality of life. However, several challenges remain, such as safety concerns, high treatment costs, and interindividual variability in treatment response. Although these challenges mean that a complete cure for many stubborn skin diseases will still take some time, the current progress has brought new weapons for more effective control of the disease and improvement of quality of life. For instance, JAK(Ruxolitinib) inhibitors and biologics are now integral to managing atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. While stem cell therapy demonstrates potential in addressing autoimmune conditions like systemic sclerosis and lupus.