Risk of tuberculosis reactivation with tofacitinib (CP-690550)

J Infect Dis. 2012 Jun;205(11):1705-8. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jis269. Epub 2012 Apr 3.

Abstract

Individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) live with a risk of reactivation, and several treatments for chronic inflammatory conditions are highly associated with such reactivation. A new Janus kinase inhibitor, tofacitinib (CP-690550), has shown promising results for treatment of inflammatory disorders, thus raising concerns of risk of active tuberculosis. Our goal was to characterize the impact of tofacitinib on LTBI using a mouse model of contained tuberculosis. Our data indicate that tofacitinib reduces host containment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and promotes bacterial replication in the lungs, suggesting tuberculosis reactivation. Tofacitinib may carry a significant risk for LTBI reactivation in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / immunology
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / pathogenicity
  • Piperidines
  • Pyrimidines / adverse effects*
  • Pyrroles / adverse effects*
  • Tuberculosis / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Piperidines
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • tofacitinib