An Overview of Small-Molecule Agents for the Treatment of Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a multifaceted autoimmune disorder arising from immune dysregulation and pathogenic (bacterial/viral) infections. The current therapeutic framework predominantly employs glucocorticoids, monoclonal antibodies, and immunosuppressive agents as first-line treatments. Nevertheless, there remains a critical need to develop novel targeted therapies that offer enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity. This review comprehensively analyzes recent advances in small-molecule drug discovery for DM. Analyzing the Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) of small molecule inhibitors and integrating the latest patents, this review combines both molecular design and clinical evidence with therapeutic strategies to point the way to the development of highly selective small molecules that target DM, a complex autoimmune disease, and ultimately contribute to the improvement of patients' prognosis and quality of life.