Thromboembolic events in Janus kinase inhibitors: A pharmacovigilance study from 2012 to 2021 based on the Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System.

Abstract

As a new type of drug developed rapidly in recent years, Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKinibs) have caused controversy due to possible adverse reactions of thromboembolism. The aim of this study was to analyse and evaluate the association between thromboembolic events and the use of JAKinibs, on the base of the latest data in the Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System. A disproportionality analysis was conducted, utilizing data from 1 January 2012 to 30 September 2021 in the FAERS. For each drug-adverse event pair, reporting odds ratio (ROR) and information components (IC) were calculated. A total of 15 positive safety signals were detected within the FAERS: ruxolitinib was significantly associated with portal vein thrombosis (ROR025 = 3.49, IC025 = 1.50); tofacitinib immediate release with pulmonary embolism (ROR025 = 2.09, IC025 = 1.02) and thrombosis (ROR025 = 1.15, IC025 = 0.18); tofacitinib extended release with pulmonary embolism (ROR025 = 1.27, IC025 = 0.26) and thrombosis (ROR025 = 1.29, IC025 = 0.33); baricitinib with deep vein thrombosis (ROR025 = 8.27, IC025 = 3.00), portal vein thrombosis (ROR025 = 1.97, IC025 = 0.63), pulmonary embolism (ROR025 = 7.90, IC025 = 2.94), thrombosis (ROR025 = 2.04, IC025 = 0.93) and venous thrombosis (ROR025 = 2.15, IC025 = 0.81); upadacitinib with pulmonary embolism (ROR025 = 1.25, IC025 = 0.25), pulmonary thrombosis (ROR025 = 5.32, IC025 = 2.33) and thrombosis (ROR025 = 2.72, IC025 = 1.39); and filgotinib with pulmonary embolism (ROR025 = 4.83, IC025 = 2.10). In the analysis of the time to onset of thromboembolic events, no obviously recognizable pattern was found. Several safety signals with embolic and thrombotic events (Standardised MedDRA Query) were found in the study. This pharmacovigilance study covered 8 types of JAKinib that are already on the market, and provided new safety signals based on past safety information. Some of these signals still need more medical evidence.