Small-molecule-based immunotherapy for immunologically mediated skin conditions.

A better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of cutaneous immune disorders, together with advances in pharmaceutical drug development, led to the introduction of small-molecule inhibitors in the therapeutic management of a large spectrum of skin immune conditions. Small molecules are agents with a low molecular weight that are capable of affecting proinflammatory pathways through modulation of intracellular targets. These agents promise to improve the therapeutic management of many skin immune disorders due to their easy administration, high bioavailability and favorable safety profile. Here, we review the major small-molecule inhibitors targeting receptor-associated kinases, second messengers and transcription factors in development for the treatment of cutaneous immune conditions.