Topical formulations comprising tofacitinib

1. A method for treating an autoimmune disease in a subject, comprising administering a topical formulation to said subject, wherein the topical formulation comprises:

(a) a therapeutically effective amount of tofacitinib;

(b) at least one solvent comprising dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and propylene glycol; and

(c) optionally, one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said autoimmune disease is selected from vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, epidermolysis bullosa acquista, pemphigus vulgaris, IgA-mediated bullous dermatoses, systemic lupus erythematosus, alopecia areata, porphyria, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and skin complication of Type I diabetes.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein tofacitinib is administered to the skin at a daily therapeutically effective dose of about 0.5 mg/cm 2 to about 60 mg/cm 2 .

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the topical formulation is in the form selected from the group consisting of a solution, a suspension, a cream, an ointment, a lotion and a gel.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the topical formulation is in the form selected from a solution and a gel.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said tofacitinib is in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt selected from citrate salt, hydrochloride salt, hydrobromide salt, oxalate salt, nitrate salt, sulfate salt, phosphate salt, fumarate salt, succinate salt, maleate salt, besylate salt, tosylate salt, palmitate salt and tartrate salt.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is citrate salt.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said solvent further comprises at least one of propylene glycol, ethanol, and water.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is selected from the group consisting of a thickening agent, a stabilizer, an antioxidant, a chelating agent, an oily material, an emulsifier, a penetration enhancer, a pH adjusting agent, a preservative, an antimicrobial agent, an opacifier, a fragrance, a colorant, a gelling agent, a moisturizer, a surfactant, and a combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is a thickening agent.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of a cellulose derivative, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a carbomer polymer, carbomer derivative, maltodextrin, polydextrose, dextrates, carboxypolymethylene, polyvinyl alcohol, poloxamers, polyethylene glycols and mixtures thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein when the formulation is applied to the skin of a subject, the amount of tofacitinib retained in the skin is more than that penetrating through the skin into the blood or systemic circulation, for 4 hours after the application.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein when the formulation is applied to the skin of a subject, the amount of tofacitinib retained in the skin is at least about 4.7 times more than that penetrating through the skin into the blood or systemic circulation, for 8 hours after the application.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein less than 2% of total degradation products are observed after stored at room temperature for at least 1 month.

15. A method for treating an autoimmune disease in a subject, comprising administering the topical formulation to said subject, wherein the topical formulation comprises:

(a) a therapeutically effective amount of tofacitinib citrate;

(b) dimethyl sulfoxide;

(c) propylene glycol;

(d) optionally, a thickening agent;

(e) optionally, an antioxidant; and

(f) optionally, one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

16. The method of claim 15 , comprising:

(a) about 0.1% w/w to about 5% w/w of tofacitinib citrate;

(b) about 1% w/w to about 80% w/w of dimethyl sulfoxide;

(c) about 10% w/w to about 60% w/w of propylene glycol;

(d) optionally, about 0.05% w/w to about 5% w/w of hydroxypropyl cellulose;

(e) optionally, about 0.05% w/w to about 5% w/w of butylated hydroxyanisole; and

(f) optionally, one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients,

based on the total weight of the topical formulation.