Large-scale Study Finds No Significant Increase in Cancer Risk with JAK Inhibitors for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Recent research presented at the EULAR 2025 Congress provides reassuring evidence regarding the safety of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study analyzed data from over 53,000 treatment initiations across multiple registers, comparing the incidence of cancer among RA patients treated with JAKi, biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), and other mechanisms of action (OMA). Overall, the study found no statistically significant difference in cancer risk between JAKi and established treatments like TNF inhibitors, even among high-risk subgroups aged 50 and older with cardiovascular risk factors. Additionally, the research explored keratinocyte cancer risks, noting an increased incidence of basal cell carcinoma in JAKi-treated patients compared to those on TNF inhibitors, suggesting the importance of skin monitoring for these patients. Furthermore, preliminary findings indicate that Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), known for cardiovascular benefits in diabetes, may also reduce certain cardiovascular risks in RA patients on JAKi, though further validation is needed. These comprehensive insights contribute to understanding the safety profile of JAK inhibitors and highlight the importance of ongoing surveillance for skin cancer and cardiovascular events in RA therapy.