TASS reported, with reference to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, that an international team of scientists from Russia, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, and the United States has confirmed the safety of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for the cardiovascular system. Three drugs in this group are used in Russia: baricitinib, upadacitinib, and tofacitinib. Doctors use these drugs to treat autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
“Based on the results of the analysis, we obtained data confirming the safety of Janus kinase inhibitors and their lack of reliable effect on patients’ cardiovascular systems,” said Vladimir Rafalsky, professor at the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University.
He noted that earlier studies had identified potential risks of certain cardiovascular diseases. However, a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from 302 scientific publications on 6,262 patients worldwide refute these concerns.
“This point was especially interesting for us to find out, since our Clinical Research Center had been studying these drugs even before they were registered. This allowed us to gain significant experience working with them,” Rafalsky added.
Izabela Pera Calvi, a co-author of the study and a researcher at the University of Porto in Portugal, added that the results make it possible to safely use these drugs for long-term therapy of psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases without worrying about the state of the cardiovascular system.
JAK inhibitors, or janus kinase inhibitors, are a class of drugs that work by blocking the activity of Janus kinase enzymes, which play a crucial role in intracellular signaling pathways. These signals regulate inflammation, immune responses, and other cellular processes.
JAK inhibitors are commonly used to treat various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis. However, despite their popularity, experts remained concerned about the safety of these drugs, especially in light of the possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
