Tissue calcinosis in dermatomyositis - potential role of combination therapy with JAK inhibitors. Case report and literature review.

Authors

Paulina Janiak, Żaneta Smoleńska, Anna Wardowska, Michał Chmielewski

Published in

Frontiers in immunology. Volume 17. Pages 1903238. Epub Sep 16, 2026.

Abstract

Calcinosis is a disabling and difficult-to-treat complication of adult dermatomyositis (DM), juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), and systemic sclerosis (SSc), for which no standardized therapy is currently available. Growing evidence implicating JAK/STAT signaling in dermatomyositis has prompted interest in Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) as a therapeutic option. We describe a 52-year-old woman with long-standing juvenile-onset dermatomyositis and extensive, treatment-refractory calcinosis who received off-label baricitinib after multiple previous therapies. After one month, the patient reported improved general well-being and no new skin ulcerations. During the four-month treatment course, pre-existing microcytic anemia worsened and required blood transfusion, prompting discontinuation of baricitinib because a treatment-related contribution could not be excluded. This case provides a hypothesis-generating observation of possible early symptomatic benefit during JAK inhibition while highlighting the uncertainty regarding efficacy and safety. Prospective studies using standardized clinical, functional, imaging, and safety outcomes are required.

PMID:
42819428
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 02 Oct 2026.

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