Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
04:50
Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
Published on: May 16, 2025
777
Risk of Malignancies and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Related to JAK Inhibitors in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A
Hongmei Duan1, Chao Jiang2, Binglun Zhang3
1Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|December 22, 2025
Summary
This meta-analysis found that Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors increase the risk of malignancies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. However, these JAK inhibitors did not significantly alter the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) or venous thromboembolism (VTE).
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Oncology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are increasingly used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment.
- Concerns exist regarding their safety profile, particularly the risk of malignancies and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively evaluate the risk of malignancies and MACE associated with JAK inhibitor use in RA patients.
- To synthesize evidence from available clinical trials through a meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to February 7, 2025.
- Inclusion of 18 studies with a total of 111,260 patients.
- Pooled risk ratios (RR) calculated using a random-effects model, with trial sequential analysis (TSA) and meta-regression performed.
Main Results:
- JAK inhibitors were associated with a significantly increased risk of overall malignancies (RR=1.53), including lung cancer (RR=1.52), lymphoma (RR=3.69), non-small cell lung cancer (RR=1.70), cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (RR=2.30), and thyroid cancer (RR=7.51).
- A significant increase in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) (RR=1.54) was also observed.
- No significant alteration in the risk of MACE (RR=0.75), venous thromboembolism (VTE) (RR=1.52), or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (RR=1.77) was found.
Conclusions:
- JAK inhibitors are linked to an elevated risk of various malignancies in RA patients.
- The use of JAK inhibitors does not appear to significantly increase the risk of MACE, VTE, or DVT.
- Further large-scale post-marketing surveillance is recommended to fully elucidate the safety profile of JAK inhibitors in RA management.
Related Concept Videos
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
11.8K
Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as SH2...
11.8K
01:21Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
263
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...
263
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
439
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
439
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
404
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
404
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
15.2K
Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
15.2K
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
874
The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
874