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. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Padmapriya Sivaraman, Stanley B Cohen. Malignancy and Janus Kinase Inhibition. Rheumatic diseases clinics of North America. 2017 Feb;43(1):79-93
PMID: 27890175
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