Malignancy and Janus Kinase Inhibition

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2017 Feb;43(1):79-93. doi: 10.1016/j.rdc.2016.09.008.

Abstract

The use of biologics such as anti-tumor necrosis factor and oral Janus kinase inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The risk of malignancies such as lymphomas, lung cancer, and nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) is greater in patients with RA compared with the general population. The incidence of all malignancy (excluding NMSC) was similar in tofacitinib users compared with the general population. The rates of overall and site-specific malignancies in patients with RA treated with tofacitinib are similar to what is expected in the RA population and not different from disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologics.

Keywords: Jak inhibitors; Lung cancer; Lymphoma; Malignancy; Rheumatoid arthritis; Tofacitinib.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Janus Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Piperidines / therapeutic use*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use*
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use*
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Piperidines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • tofacitinib
  • Janus Kinases