A Case of Anti-TNFα Therapies Induced Lupus Panniculitis Successfully Improved With a JAK Inhibitor (Baricitinib)

Lupus erythematosus panniculitis (LEP) is a rare variant of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (1%-3% of CLE). There are two case reports to date in the literature of LEP potentially triggered by anti-TNF-alpha therapies. Clinically, it is characterised by tender, erythematous subcutaneous indurated nodules or plaques on fatty body areas. It can occur frequently alone or in combination with systemic erythematous lupus or discoid lupus. The pathogenic mechanism of anti-TNF-alpha therapies induced lupus panniculitis is not well understood. Our case report and literature review highlight that anti-TNF-alpha therapies can induce lupus panniculitis, especially in the rheumatoid arthritis cohort of patients.