tofacitinib and Ulcer

Topics: Behcet Syndrome; Humans; Piperidines; Pyrimidines; Ulcer

Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a chronic form of relapsing multisystem vasculitis, characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers. Intestinal BS is a special type of BS. Volcano-shaped ulcers in the ileocecum are a typical finding of intestinal BS, and punched-out ulcers can be observed in the intestine or esophagus. At present, there is no recognized radical treatment for intestinal BS. Glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants are currently the main drugs used to improve the condition. Although it has been reported that monoclonal anti-TNF antibodies may be effective for some refractory intestinal BS, further randomized, prospective trials are necessary to confirm these findings. Some patients are restricted from using biological agents because of serious allergic reactions of drugs, inconvenient drug injections or the impact of the novel coronavirus epidemic. If endoscopic remission (endoscopic healing) is not achieved for a prolonged period of time, serious complications, such as perforation, fistula formation, and gastrointestinal bleeding can be induced. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new treatment methods for controlling disease progression. We reviewed the relevant literature, combined with the analysis of the correlation between the pathogenesis of BS and the mechanism of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibition, and considered that tofacitinib (TOF) may be effective for managing refractory intestinal BS. We report for the first time that four patients with severe refractory intestinal BS were successfully treated with TOF. We hope to provide valuable information on JAK inhibitors as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of severe refractory intestinal BS.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Behcet Syndrome; Biological Factors; COVID-19; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Intestines; Janus Kinase Inhibitors; Janus Kinases; Piperidines; Prospective Studies; Pyrimidines; Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors; Ulcer

We here report a case of a middle-aged man with an unusual case of bullous lichen sclerosus complicated with generalized morphea. He showed initial recurrent flaccid bullae, followed by ivory-white sclerotic plaques and extensive skin sclerosis, with additional walking disorder caused by knee-joint contracture, and ulcers on the lower extremities and back. The patient had no visceral involvement. After oral hydroxychloroquine and oral corticosteroids failed, the patient was given tofacitinib, which resolved his ulcers after 4 weeks and ameliorated his knee-joint contracture and skin sclerosis within 4 months. Owing to the occurrence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, he stopped using tofacitinib, and the ulcer and walking disorder reappeared. This is rare case of bullous lichen sclerosus-generalized morphea overlap syndrome. The patient recovered well after treatment with tofacitinib. His symptoms recurred after discontinuation of tofacitinib.

Topics: Contracture; Humans; Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Scleroderma, Localized; Scleroderma, Systemic; Sclerosis; Skin Diseases; Ulcer

A 26-year-old man was admitted to our institution for ulcerative colitis treatment. He used mesalamine, steroid, immunomodulators, and anti-TNFα anti-body, but it was difficult to maintain remission. We started induction therapy with tofacitinib (TOF) 10 mg twice daily. He maintained clinical remission but had chest pain 44 days after the start of TOF. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed multiple ulcers from middle to lower esophagus. Although rare, TOF induced esophageal ulcers were considered based on his clinical course and endoscopic findings.

Topics: Adult; Colitis, Ulcerative; Esophageal Diseases; Esophagoscopy; Esophagus; Humans; Male; Piperidines; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyrimidines; Ulcer