An opportunistic infection associated with ruxolitinib, a novel janus kinase 1,2 inhibitor

Chest. 2013 May;143(5):1478-1479. doi: 10.1378/chest.12-1604.

Abstract

We report a case of Cryptococcus neoformans pneumonia in a patient taking ruxolitinib, a janus kinase 1,2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of myelofibrosis. We hypothesize that ruxolitinib contributed to this infection through its effects on cell-mediated immunity. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for intracellular or opportunistic infections associated with this novel drug class.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cryptococcosis / chemically induced*
  • Cryptococcosis / diagnosis
  • Cryptococcosis / drug therapy
  • Cryptococcus neoformans*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / drug effects
  • Janus Kinase 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Janus Kinase 2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Male
  • Nitriles
  • Opportunistic Infections / chemically induced*
  • Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis
  • Opportunistic Infections / immunology
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / chemically induced*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / drug therapy
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / immunology
  • Pyrazoles / adverse effects*
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyrazoles / therapeutic use
  • Pyrimidines
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Nitriles
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • ruxolitinib
  • Fluconazole
  • Janus Kinase 1
  • Janus Kinase 2