tofacitinib and Melanoma

With recent advancements in the understanding of vitiligo pathogenesis, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have emerged as a promising new treatment modality, but their effects remain incompletely elucidated. Tofacitinib, an oral JAK 1/3 inhibitor approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has previously been shown to induce significant re-pigmentation in vitiligo. However, as with other novel targeted therapies, cutaneous adverse effects have been observed. We report a 36-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis, refractory to multiple pharmacotherapies, who was initiated on tofacitinib and subsequently developed progressive depigmented patches consistent with new-onset vitiligo. Although definitive causation cannot be established in this case without additional studies, it is important to note that many targeted therapies have the potential to induce paradoxical effects, that is, the occurrence or exacerbation of pathologic conditions that have been shown to respond to these medications. Paradoxical findings with other targeted therapies include the occurrence of melanoma during treatment with BRAF inhibitors, keratoacanthomas with PD-1 inhibitors, vitiligo and psoriasis with TNF-alpha inhibitors, and hidradenitis suppurativa with various biologic agents. Although JAK inhibitors hold therapeutic promise in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders, further research is warranted to more fully comprehend their effects.

Topics: Adult; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Female; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Humans; Janus Kinase Inhibitors; Keratoacanthoma; Melanoma; Piperidines; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Psoriasis; Pyrimidines; Pyrroles; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Vitiligo

With a rapidly evolving complement of advanced targeted therapies in inflammatory bowel disease, additional safety and side effect concerns emerge. It is the purpose of this review to consider various risks with biologic therapies in inflammatory bowel disease and discuss mitigating strategies.. Two recently approved monoclonal antibodies (vedolizumab and ustekinumab) and a Janus kinase inhibitor small molecule (tofacitnib) have introduced a number of novel safety and risk considerations. We review the clinical trial and real-world safety data to date on these agents as well as review new data and considerations with anti-tumor necrosis factor agents. New vaccines for varicella zoster virus, hepatitis B virus, and high-dose influenza have been studied, and we discuss the clinical importance of these findings. Lastly, we make management recommendations in the event of particular side effects or complications. Understanding the risks of new agents in inflammatory bowel disease, potential mitigating strategies, and management considerations is important to achieving and maintaining clinical outcomes in IBD patients.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Biological Products; Demyelinating Diseases; Deprescriptions; Drug Substitution; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Infections; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Lymphoma; Melanoma; Neoplasms; Piperidines; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyrimidines; Pyrroles; Risk; Risk Assessment; Skin Neoplasms; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Ustekinumab

Topics: Autoantibodies; Humans; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Melanoma; Piperidines; Pyrimidines

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib for the treatment of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated 5 gene (anti-MDA5) antibody-positive dermatomyositis (DM).. This study included 52 patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive DM (MDA5 + DM) who were treated with tofacitinib and followed up. Clinical and laboratory data of these patients were recorded between January 2019 and June 2022. SPSS was used for all statistical analyses.. The mean age of patients with MDA5 + DM was 45 ± 12.4 years, and the median disease duration was 6.5 months (range, 3-13 months). The mean dosage of glucocorticoids was 34.7 ± 20.9 mg/d at the initiation of tofacitinib therapy. Overall, 47 patients were followed up for a mean duration of 7.8 ± 6.2 months. We found that the clinical symptoms of 28 patients (59.6%) were improved, but 1 patient (2.1%) died because of severe infection. Moreover, complications occurred in 25 patients (53.2%), among whom 19 patients had infections. Older age and C-reactive protein levels close to the upper value in reference range at the initial treatment were found to be the potential risk factors of infection. Furthermore, patients with cutaneous ulcers were found to have a lower risk of infection.. Tofacitinib can be used as a potential therapeutic option for MDA5 + DM. The occurrence of infection requires special attention during treatment, particularly in patients with older age and C-reactive protein levels close to the upper value in reference range.

Topics: Autoantibodies; C-Reactive Protein; Dermatomyositis; Humans; Infant; Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1; Melanoma; Piperidines; Retrospective Studies

The efficacy of tofacitinib (TOF) in the early diagnosis of melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been described. However, whether TOF exposure is associated with a reduced 1-year mortality rate remains undetermined.. Patients diagnosed with MDA5-ILD receiving TOF or tacrolimus (TAC) treatment were included. A Cox proportional hazards model, which was adjusted for age, sex, smoking history, anti-MDA5 antibody titers, and concurrent use of other steroid-sparing agents, was performed to compare all-cause mortality and to investigate the risk factors predicting 1-year mortality rates in the 2 treatment groups.. During the study period, 26 patients were treated with TOF and 35 were treated with TAC. The 6-month (38.5% vs 62.9%;. Our observational study showed that TOF use might have a potential effect on improving the outcomes of MDA5-ILD. Future clinical trials are needed to assess the long-term efficacy and tolerability of TOF.

Topics: Autoantibodies; Dermatomyositis; Humans; Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Melanoma; Retrospective Studies; Tacrolimus