Published online Aug 31, 2019. doi: 10.13105/wjma.v7.i8.373
Peer-review started: June 21, 2019
First decision: July 21, 2019
Revised: August 15, 2019
Accepted: August 20, 2019
Article in press: August 20, 2019
Published online: August 31, 2019
Processing time: 85 Days and 13.6 Hours
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory condition affecting the colon. Recently, tofacitinib, an oral small molecule that is an inhibitor of the Janus kinase signal transduction pathway, was proven efficacious for inducing and maintaining remission in adult patients with moderate to severe UC in three global Phase III studies. The purpose of this review is to summarize existing data on the efficacy, safety, and quality of life issues related to use tofacitinib as well as highlight recent real-world experience with this drug among patients with UC.
Core tip: Tofacitinib is a small molecule that is an inhibitor of the Janus kinase signal transduction pathway, and it is the first oral medication approved for chronic use among adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). Three large phase III trials have shown overall efficacy and safety; however, long-term results and real-world data are lacking in the literature. Our objective is it consolidate the current literature to better understand what is currently known about efficacy, safety, quality of life, and real-world experience with this medication among patients with UC.