JAK inhibitors and systemic sclerosis: A systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease with heterogeneous clinical presentation and prognosis. JAK inhibitors reduced cutaneous and pulmonary fibrosis in mice models of SSc. Clinical data regarding the efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors in SSc patients are scarce. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature review of patients with SSc defined by the 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria and treated with JAK inhibitors, searching in Medline, Cochrane library and Embase databases. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (mean age 47 ± 15 years) were included. Median treatment duration was 12 [6-12] months. JAK inhibitors (tofacitinib in 47 patients and baricitinib in 12 patients) were prescribed as first line therapy in 35 patients (59%). A significant cutaneous response (decrease in the mRSS - modified Rodnan skin score - of >5 points and ≥ 25% from baseline) was reported in 52 patients (88%). Among patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) (n = 31), 28/29 patients had no ILD progression during follow-up time (missing data in 2 patients). Only 2 patients had a disease progression during treatment (including one patient with progressive skin fibrosis). Cutaneous response was more frequently observed in treatment naïve SSc patients. Decrease of the mRSS after treatment initiation was more significant in treatment naïve SSc patients. Eighteen non-serious side-effects were noted in 12 patients (20%), without treatment interruption: 6 infections, 6 gastrointestinal disorders, 4 hepatitis and 3 dyslipidemias. CONCLUSION: JAK inhibitors could represent a safe and effective treatment option for skin fibrosis and ILD in systemic sclerosis.

Impact of Antibiotics and Proton Pump Inhibitors on Efficacy and Tolerance of Anti-PD-1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Background: The use of antibiotics (ATB) and proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) alters the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, which can influence the immune system, consequently interfering with response to anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). We assessed the impact of ATB and/or PPI use on the efficacy and safety of ICI. Methods: Two hundred twelve patients treated with anti-PD1 ICI for non-small cell lung carcinoma, melanoma, upper airway & digestive tract carcinoma or renal cell carcinoma were retrospectively included. Patients having received ATB within 60 days before ICI initiation were included in the ATB+ group. Patients having received PPI within 30 days before ICI initiation were included in the PPI+ group. Four groups were thus considered: ATB-/PPI-, ATB+/PPI-, ATB-/PPI+, ATB+/PPI+. Response rate was assessed by RECIST v1.1. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse events, recorded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 5, were compared using inverse probability of treatment weighting to account for selection bias. Results: PFS at 6 months was 56.7 %, 95%CI (49.6%; 63.2%) and 47.2 %, 95%CI (39.8%;54.1%) at 12 months. OS was 81.6%, 95%CI (75.6%; 86.2%) at 6 months, and 69.4%, 95%CI (61.9%;75.7%) at 12 months. Compared to ATB-/PPI- group, PFS was lower for the ATB+/PPI- group [Hazard ratio (HR) 1.90, 95%CI (1.41;2.57)] and the ATB-/PPI+ group [HR 1.51, 95%CI (1.11;2.05)], and lowest in the ATB+/PPI+ group [HR 3.65, 95%CI (2.75;4.84)]. For OS, the use of ATB alone or PPI alone or in combination was a risk factor for death, with each increasing HR values by a similar magnitude, and the combination of ATB and PPI did not increase risk further. AEs were observed in 78 cases (36.8%) with no significant impact of ATB or PPI use. Conclusions: This study reveals that ATB and/or PPI use can alter response to anti-PD1 ICI, and the prognosis of cancer patients. The microbiota mechanisms involved in the response to ICI should be investigated to optimize patient management.