scholarly journals Potential Adverse Events Reported With the Janus Kinase Inhibitors Approved for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Spontaneous Reports and Online Patient Reviews

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun-Kyoung Song ◽  
Junu Song ◽  
Kyungim Kim ◽  
Jin-Won Kwon

The aim of this study was to analyze the potential adverse events (AEs) caused by Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, including tofacitinib, baricitinib, and upadacitinib, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis using spontaneous AE reports from the FDA (FAERS) and interpreting them in correlation with those from Korea (KAERS) and an online patient review (WebMD). Potential AEs were identified based on a disproportionality analysis using the proportional reporting ratio (PRR), reporting odds ratio (ROR), and the information component (IC). A total of 23,720 reports were analyzed from FAERS database, of which 91.5% were reports on tofacitinib. Potentially important medical AEs related to infections were reported frequently, as well as thromboembolism-related AEs. The AEs, such as malignancy, interstitial lung diseases, myocardial infarction, and gastrointestinal disorder, also reported. In an online patient review report, the ineffectiveness of the drug and gastrointestinal AEs were frequently reported. Infection with baricitinib and symptoms related to pain or edema due to upadacitinib were the main discomfort experienced by patients. In conclusion, the results of this study highlight the possible safety issues associated with JAK inhibitors. Routine clinical observations and further research using various real-world databases are needed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1160.3-1161
Author(s):  
C. Castellani ◽  
E. Molteni ◽  
A. Altobelli ◽  
C. Garufi ◽  
S. Mancuso ◽  
...  

Background:The therapeutic armamentarium for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has recently been enriched with the family of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Because the risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) following the use of these drugs seems to be similar to that seen with anti-TNF agents, screening for LTBI is recommended in patients with RA before starting treatment with JAK inhibitors. Interferon(IFN)-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are increasingly used for this purpose. However, JAK inhibitors tend to decrease the levels of IFNs, questioning the reliability of IGRAs during treatment with this novel class of drugs.Objectives:To compare the performance of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) test with that of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube (QFT-GIT) assay in RA patients before and during treatment with JAK inhibitors.Methods:A longitudinal, prospective study has been performed in RA patients (ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria) candidates for tofacitinib or baricitinib treatment. All patients underwent QFT-Plus and QFT-GIT at baseline (T0), and after 3 (T3) and 9/12 months (T9/12) of treatment with JAK inhibitors. The agreement of the two tests was calculated at all timepoints. The agreement between IGRAs and tuberculin skin test (TST) or chest radiography at baseline was also determined. Lastly, the variability of QTF-Plus results was assessed during follow-up.Results:Twenty-nine RA patients (F/M 23/6; median age/IQR 63/15.5 years; median disease duration/IQR 174/216 months) were enrolled: among them, 22 were to start baricitinib (75.9%) and 7 tofacitinib (24.1%). A perfect agreement was found between QFT-Plus and QFT-GIT at all times of observation (κ=1). At baseline, no agreement was recorded between IGRAs and TST (κ=-0.08) and between TST and chest radiography (κ=-0.07), while a low agreement was found between QFT-Plus and chest radiography (κ=0.17). A variation of 33.3% in the results of the QFT-Plus test was recorded at T3 compared to T0, of 29.4% at T9/12 compared to T0, and of 11.8% at T9/12 compared to T3. The median levels of IFN-γ produced by lymphocytes in response to the mitogen of QFT-Plus decreased after 3 months of treatment (1.59/4.72 IU/ml vs 3.08/7.68 IU/ml at baseline), followed by an increase after 9/12 months (2.25/4.61 IU/ml), but these differences were not significant. No significant change in the median number of circulating lymphocytes such as to explain the variation of the QFT-Plus results after 3 months of JAK inhibitor therapy was documented (1815/690/mm3 vs 2140/750/mm3 at baseline). At baseline, both QFT-Plus and QFT-GIT showed positive results in 5 patients (17.2%), negative in 19 (65.5%), and indeterminate in 5 (17.2%). Glucocorticoids intake was associated with a higher probability of negative or indeterminate result of IGRAs at baseline (p<0.0001).Conclusion:Our data show that a response to IGRAs is detectable in the course of treatment with JAK inhibitors. However, similarly to what has been observed during treatment with TNF antagonists, the results of QFT-GIT and QFT-Plus show some variability when longitudinally repeated. These fluctuations occur in the absence of correlation with clinical outcome, thus challenging their interpretation. Since we do not have a sufficiently sensitive test capable of detecting TB infection, an integrated evaluation of risk factors, clinical manifestations and multiple diagnostic tests should be considered for a proper evaluation of the risk of TB infection in immunosuppressed patients.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-108
Author(s):  
Sun Hee Jang ◽  
Ji Hyeon Ju

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory destructive disorder that affects the joints, muscles, and tendons accompanying various extra-articular manifestations. Traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) represent the basic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Over the last 20 years, biologic DMARDs (tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, interleukin-1 inhibitors, interleukin-6 inhibitors, T cell inhibitors, and B cell inhibitors) have been widely used as a novel class of DMARDs that have efficacy and efficiency. Discovery of the underlying pathogenesis of autoimmune disease enables us to develop new target therapies such as a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. Activated JAK is known to activate signal transducers as well as activators of transcription (STAT) signaling. A JAK inhibitor is a type of medication that functions by inhibiting the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. In addition, it is easy to take a JAK inhibitor orally. In Korea, several JAK inhibitors have been approved. This review describes the types of JAK inhibitors, recommended doses, side effects, and updated European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology guidelines. Clinicians should more often consider JAK inhibitors in the treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis in current rheumatology clinics


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 116-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. I. Mazurov ◽  
I. B. Belyaeva

Significant successes in the use of biological agents (BA) have been achieved in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA); nonetheless, about 36% of patients cannot respond to therapy or achieve the expected effect. A new area in the treatment of RA is the use of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (chemical molecules with a molecular weight <1 kDa for oral administration) that inhibit the activity of intracellular signaling systems. The authors consider the clinical achievements and prospects, which open the use of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of RA.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kosuke Ebina

ABSTRACT Elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are frequently associated with higher disease activity and impaired physical function, although they show intolerance for conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), such as methotrexate, because of their comorbidities. However, the present treatment recommendation based on randomized controlled trials is not distinguished by age or comorbidities. Therefore, this review aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) and Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) in elderly patients. Present bDMARDs, including tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4-immunoglobulin (abatacept), interleukin (IL)-6 receptor antibody (tocilizumab and salirumab), and anti-CD20 antibody (rituximab), may be similarly or slightly less effective or safe in elderly patients compared with younger patients. Oral glucocorticoid use, prolonged disease duration, and very old patients appear to be associated with an increased risk of adverse events, such as serious infection. Some recent cohort studies demonstrated that non-TNFi showed better retention than TNFi in elderly patients. Both TNFi and non-TNFi agents may not strongly influence the risk of adverse events such as cardiovascular events and malignancy in elderly patients. Regarding JAKi, the efficacy appears to be similar, although the safety (particularly for serious infections, including herpes zoster) may be attenuated by aging.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 279
Author(s):  
Hou-Ren Tsai ◽  
Jing-Wun Lu ◽  
Li-Yu Chen ◽  
Tai-Li Chen

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are promising treatments for atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors for AD treatment via the “Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation” approach. We identified 15 randomized controlled trials comparing oral or topical JAK inhibitors against placebo to treat AD. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed, and the numbers-needed-to-treat (NNTs)/numbers-needed-to-harm (NNHs) were calculated. Patients treated with JAK inhibitors were associated with higher rates of achieving eczema area and severity index-75 (rate ratio (RR): 2.84; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.20–3.67; I2: 38.9%; NNT = 3.97), Investigator’s Global Assessment response (RR: 2.99; 95% CI: 2.26–3.95; I2: 0%; NNT = 5.72), and pruritus numerical rating scale response (RR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.90–3.35; I2: 39.4%; NNT = 4.91) than those treated with placebo. Moreover, patients treated with JAK inhibitors had a higher risk of treatment-emergent adverse events (RR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02–1.28; I2: 52%; NNH = 14.80) but not adverse events leading to drug discontinuation. According to the evidence-based results, JAK inhibitors are potentially effective strategies (certainty of evidence: “moderate”) for treating AD with tolerable side effects (certainty of evidence: “low”). Nevertheless, long-term follow-up is required.


2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (10) ◽  
pp. 667-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Senir Turan ◽  
Scot Walker

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease where the immune system attacks the linings of the joints, resulting in joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and destruction. Although many products are available for the treatment of RA, limitations such as adverse reactions and tolerance greatly affect adherence. Many of the current biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on the market are injectables, leaving a void to be filled for a product that can be taken orally. The most advanced of these approaches, the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, are oral drugs that have not only made a breakthrough in RA, but also other skin conditions.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kosuke Ebina ◽  
Toru Hirano ◽  
Yuichi Maeda ◽  
Wataru Yamamoto ◽  
Motomu Hashimoto ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: This multi-center, retrospective study aimed to clarify retention rates and reasons for discontinuation of 7 biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and tofacitinib (TOF), one of the janus kinase inhibitors, in bDMARDs-naïve and bDMARDs-switched patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: This study assessed 3,897 patients and 4,415 treatment courses with bDMARDs and TOF from 2001 to 2019 (2,737 bDMARDs-naïve patients and 1,678 bDMARDs-switched patients [59.5% switched to their second agent], female 82.3%, baseline age 57.4 years, disease duration 8.5 years; rheumatoid factor positivity 78.4%; Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using erythrocyte sedimentation rate 4.3; concomitant prednisolone [PSL] dose 6.1 mg/day [42.4%], and methotrexate [MTX] dose 8.5 mg/week [60.9%]). Treatment courses included abatacept (ABT; n=663), adalimumab (ADA; n=536), certolizumab pegol (CZP; n=226), etanercept (ETN; n=856), golimumab (GLM; n=458), infliximab (IFX; n=724), tocilizumab (TCZ; n=851), and TOF (n=101/only bDMARDs-switched cases). Drug discontinuation reasons (categorized into lack of effectiveness, toxic adverse events, non-toxic reasons, or remission) and rates were estimated at 36 months using the Gray’s test, and statistically evaluated after adjusted by potential clinical confounders (age, sex, disease duration, concomitant PSL and MTX usage, starting date, and number of switched bDMARDs) using the Fine-Gray model. Results: Cumulative incidence of drug discontinuation for each reason was as follows: lack of effectiveness in the bDMARDs-naïve group (from 13.7% [ABT] to 26.9% [CZP]; P<0.001 between agents) and the bDMARDs-switched group (from 18.9% [TCZ] to 46.1% [CZP]; P<0.001 between agents). Toxic adverse events in the bDMARDs-naïve group (from 4.6% [ABT] to 11.2% [ETN]; P<0.001 between agents) and the bDMARDs-switched group (from 5.0% [ETN] to 15.7% [TOF]; P=0.004 between agents). Remission in the bDMARDs-naïve group (from 2.9% [ETN] to 10.0% [IFX]; P<0.001 between agents) and the bDMARDs-switched group (from 1.1% [CZP] to 3.3% [GLM]; P=0.9 between agents). Conclusions: Remarkable differences were observed in drug retention of 7 bDMARDs and TOF between bDMARDs-naïve and bDMARDs-switched cases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1241
Author(s):  
Yoshiya Tanaka

In rheumatoid arthritis, a representative systemic autoimmune disease, immune abnormality and accompanying persistent synovitis cause bone and cartilage destruction and systemic osteoporosis. Biologics targeting tumor necrosis factor, which plays a central role in the inflammatory process, and Janus kinase inhibitors have been introduced in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, making clinical remission a realistic treatment goal. These drugs can prevent structural damage to bone and cartilage. In addition, osteoporosis, caused by factors such as menopause, aging, immobility, and glucocorticoid use, can be treated with bisphosphonates and the anti-receptor activator of the nuclear factor-κB ligand antibody. An imbalance in the immune system in rheumatoid arthritis induces an imbalance in bone metabolism. However, osteoporosis and bone and cartilage destruction occur through totally different mechanisms. Understanding the mechanisms underlying osteoporosis and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis leads to improved care and the development of new treatments.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document