Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Disorders on Biologics and Small Molecules: Network Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

Recent studies raise concern for increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) with Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) used to treat immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs). We aimed to examine MACE risk with licensed biologics and small molecules used commonly between IMIDs: inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

METHODS:

Data were obtained from systematic searches (from inception to May 31, 2022) in PubMed, Embase, Ovid Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Central, and Clinicaltrials.gov. Studies that assessed a pre-defined MACE (myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, unstable angina, cardiovascular death, or heart failure) risk in those ≥18 years with IMIDs treated with anti-interleukin (IL)-23 antibodies, anti-IL-12/23, anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibodies (anti-TNF-α) or JAKi were included in a network meta-analysis using a random-effects model with pooled odds ratios (ORs) reported with 95% credible intervals (CrIs) by drug class and disease state.

RESULTS:

Among 3,528 studies identified, 40 (36 randomized controlled trials [RCTs] and 4 cohort studies) were included in the systematic review, comprising 126,961 patients with IMIDs. Based on network meta-analysis of RCTs, regardless of disease state, anti-TNF-α (OR, 2.49; CrI: 1.14-5.62), JAKi (OR, 2.64; CrI: 1.26-5.99), and anti-IL-12/23 (OR, 3.15; CrI: 1.01-13.35) were associated with increased MACE risk compared with placebo. There was no significant difference in the magnitude of the MACE risk between classes or based on IMID type.

CONCLUSIONS:

Anti-IL-12/23, JAKi, and anti-TNF-α were associated with higher risk of MACE compared with placebo. The magnitude of the increased MACE risk was not different by IMID type. These results require confirmation in larger prospective studies.