Where dermatomyositis and myositis treatment is heading

Dermatomyositis and related inflammatory myopathies are autoimmune diseases that cause muscle weakness, often with a distinctive skin rash, and can affect the lungs; a few thousand Americans are diagnosed each year. Treatment has relied on high-dose steroids, immunosuppressants and IVIg. In 2026 brepocitinib became the first pill approved for dermatomyositis, and interferon blockers, FcRn blockers and CAR T cells are in late-stage trials.

• 88studies open or running
• 10phase 3 trials
• 853papers published this year
• 32NIH-funded projects

1. Now

   Nov 2026

   The first pill for dermatomyositisHappened 46.5 improvement score

   Brepocitinib 30 mg: improvement score 46.5 vs 31.2 with placebo; FDA approved August 2026.

   46.5: Total Improvement Score at week 52 with 30 mg, vs 31.2 with placebo.

   • VALOR trial (brepocitinib)

   CAR T cells reset the immune systemHappened 4 of 5 responded

   4 of 5 people with severe myositis responded to a single CAR T-cell infusion, off all other drugs.

   4: of 5 with myositis had a major or moderate response.

   • CASTLE trial (myositis group)

   B-cell depletion helps manyHappened 70% response rate

   Rituximab had a 70% pooled response rate across myositis types.

   70%: pooled response rate.

   • Rituximab meta-analysis
   • JAK inhibitor meta-analysis

2. 6 months

   by May 2027

   Brepocitinib in practiceLikely

   Uptake of the first oral drug, with monitoring for infections.

   • VALOR trial (brepocitinib)

3. 12 months

   by Nov 2027

   An interferon blocker as an injectionPossible

   AstraZeneca's JASMINE (240 people) tests anifrolumab, approved for lupus; due January 2028.

   • JASMINE

   More CAR T-cell trialsPossible 4 of 5 responded (CASTLE)

   Cabaletta's RESET-Myositis and Novartis' rapcabtagene trials report early data.

   4: of 5 with myositis had a major or moderate response.

   • CASTLE trial (myositis group)
   • RESET-Myositis

4. 3 years

   by late 2029

   Blocking interferon-betaPossible

   Pfizer's dazukibart phase 3 (318 people) targets interferon-beta, a key driver in dermatomyositis; due July 2030.

   • Dazukibart trial

5. 5 years

   by late 2031

   Reducing steroids for goodLong shot

   Several trials aim to let people stop long-term steroids, the biggest source of side effects.

   • VALOR trial (brepocitinib)
   • BIRD

The research paths

Borrowed from other conditions

Open to join now

• Dermatomyositis

  Anifrolumab

  Phase 3 · 237 sites

  Locations and eligibility →

• Dermatomyositis

  Dazukibart

  Phase 3 · 138 sites

  Locations and eligibility →

• Myositis

  CABA-201 CAR T cells

  Phase 1/2 · 38 sites

  Locations and eligibility →

• Antibody-positive myositis

  Descartes-08

  Phase 2 · 4 sites

  Locations and eligibility →

See every recruiting Dermatomyositis trial →

When the trials finish

Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.

What just happened

Standard treatment today

• New diagnosisHigh-dose steroids plus methotrexate, azathioprine or mycophenolate; cancer screening.
• Not respondingIVIg, rituximab, or brepocitinib.
• Lung involvementMycophenolate, tacrolimus, rituximab; aggressive treatment for rapidly progressive disease.
• Skin-predominantSun protection, hydroxychloroquine, topical treatment; JAK inhibitors.

See Dermatomyositis trials recruiting now →