Meta-Analysis Finds JAK Inhibitors Effective in PsA

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are safe and effective for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), suggests results from an analysis of 5 randomized controlled trials published online ahead of print in Autoimmunity Reviews.

“This is the first systematic review that performed a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors for psoriatic arthritis in randomized controlled trials,” wrote researchers from Italy.

The systematic review focused on randomized controlled trials published through April 2021 that included only patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with JAK inhibitors. Five met eligibility criteria: 2 phase 3 studies on tofacitinib, 1 phase 2 study on filgotinib, and 2 phase 3studies on upadacitinib. The studies, which included 3293 patients, were deemed at low risk of bias per Cochrane criteria.

Meta-analysis showed significantly higher rates of American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) response with JAK inhibitors compared with placebo. The odds ratio of ACR20 response was 3.78 with JAK inhibitors vs placebo, researchers reported.

Although JAK inhibitors were also associated with a higher risk of serious adverse events compared with placebo (the odds ratio was 1.12), the increased risk was not statistically significant, according to the study.

“Our analysis suggests a statistically significant benefit of JAK inhibitors that appear to be effective and safe over placebo for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis,” researchers concluded.

—Jolynn Tumolo

Reference

Campanaro F, Batticciotto A, Zaffaroni A, Cappelli A, Donadini MP, Squizzato A. JAK inhibitors and psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Autoimmun Rev. Published online ahead of print. July 15, 2021.