Oral Conventional Synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs with Antineoplastic Potential: a Review

Combination of methotrexate with oral disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review

Background: Oral conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), especially methotrexate, are the cornerstone of treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The use of csDMARDs with biologics has increased their efficacy in psoriasis. However, the combination of two oral DMARDs in patients with PsA has not been adequately reviewed. In this study, we explore the combinational use of methotrexate with DMARDs in PsA patients. Materials & methods: A review was conducted using Medline (PubMed), Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library, covering articles up to February 2023. Results & conclusion: Nine studies comprising 1993 participants were included. The evidence supporting combination therapy remains limited. Combinational therapy could be considered in patients with inadequate response to monotherapy or no access to biologics.

Impact of upadacitinib on the risk of digestive events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Upadacitinib (UPA), an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, is an effective treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but its use has been associated with an increased risk of digestive events. This systematic review aimed to investigate the risk of digestive events in RA patients treated with UPA.

Methods

Systematic searches of electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE) from inception to September 2022 were conducted to locate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared UPA with control treatment and reported digestive events in RA patients. We pooled data using the random-effects model and meta-analysis was conducted by Stata software.

Results

Ten RCTs met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed, with a total of 6103 patients. Compared with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), pooled analysis of 8 trials revealed no statistical difference in hepatic disorder (HD) risk and gastrointestinal (GI) perforation (GIP) risk ((OR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.56, I² = 0.00%); OR = 4.49, 95% CI 0.56 to 35.93, I² = 0.00%)). When we considered the influence of UPA on the grade of liver enzymes, the data indicated that grade 3 and 4 elevations in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were infrequent. Additionally, a dose-dependent impact of UPA on the risks of HD was not observed. The results suggested no interaction by dose of drug, or indication for treatment of GIP risk.

Conclusion

Our results showed that RA patients receiving UPA compared with csDMARDs had no significant increased risk associated with digestive events. Further long-term research of emerging data is urgently needed to gain a better understanding of the association between UPA and digestive events in the RA population.

Effect of Leflunomide Use on 68Ga-DOTATATE Biodistribution in a Case With Neuroendocrine Tumor

ABSTRACT

A 58-year-old man who underwent surgery for a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of pancreatic origin was evaluated with 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging in the follow-up period. After PET/CT findings consistent with disease remission, the patient was started on leflunomide treatment with the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The patient received leflunomide for 6 months. Then, 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scan was repeated to evaluate the primary disease outcome. Besides the disease remission, we also observed alterations in DOTATATE uptakes of some tissues and organs. In this case, we present the changes in 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scan findings after leflunomide use.