Autoimmune Disease Series--
Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis (DM) is an autoimmune connective tissue disorder affecting the skin and skeletal muscles, typically presenting with subacute or chronic onset. Its etiology remains unclear and may involve factors such as autoimmunity, infections, malignancies, and genetics. The annual incidence of adult dermatomyositis is 5-10 per million, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 1:2. The age of onset exhibits a bimodal distribution, peaking in childhood (5-15 years) and among adults aged 45-65 years.
Clinically, DM primarily manifests as skin and muscle involvement, including characteristic signs such as heliotrope rash, Gottron's papules, and symmetric proximal limb muscle weakness with neck flexor weakness. Some patients may also develop complications such as malignancies or interstitial lung disease.
In recent years, novel therapies for dermatomyositis have emerged. Biologics have become a major focus of research, with agents targeting specific cytokines or immune pathways—such as anti-interleukin-6 receptor antagonists—demonstrating therapeutic potential. For instance, in refractory juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), an analysis of 458 patients treated with rituximab showed that 78.3% experienced improvement in skin and muscle symptoms. Most patients exhibited positive changes in myositis-specific autoantibody profiles without symptom relapse. Additionally, small-molecule targeted therapies are under investigation. Among JAK inhibitors, tofacitinib was the first drug in this class approved by FDA for autoimmune diseases. Multiple case reports confirm its efficacy in severe skin disease and refractory DM, improving skin rash, joint pain, and muscle strength while reducing corticosteroid dependence. In February 2025, a study led by Professor Ye Shuang's team from the Rheumatology Department of Renji Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine demonstrated that tofacitinib, as an initial immunosuppressive regimen, significantly improved 1-year transplant-free survival in anti-MDA5-positive DM patients with interstitial lung disease compared to calcineurin inhibitors.
Dermatomyositis Drug Targets in Development:
Dermatomyositis Drug Targets Related Products
● Target Proteins
Measured by its binding ability in a functional ELISA. Immobilized CD7 at 5 μg/ml can bind SECTM1 (CSB-MP819898HU), the EC50 is 1.236-1.773 ng/ml.
Measured by its binding ability in a functional ELISA. Immobilized Human GLP1R at 2 μg/mL can bind Anti-GLP1R recombinant antibody (CSB-RA009514MA1HU), the EC50 is 54.54-94.23 ng/mL.
The ED50 as determined by the dose-dependent stimulation of the proliferation of human TF-1 cells is 0.1518 - 0.3987 ng/mL.
Measured by its binding ability in a functional ELISA. Immobilized PD-1 at 2 μg/ml can bind Anti-PD-1 recombinant antibody, the EC50 of human PD-1 protein is 6.087-7.854 ng/ml.
