Ablative Treatment of Inflammatory and Other Diseases With Monoclonal Antibodies (Mabs) or Janus Kinases (Nibs) Increases Risk for Infection

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies (mabs) and small molecule Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (nibs) are useful for treating inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, and tumors, especially leukemia. Inhibition or depletion of the cytokines or cells with these drugs can result in loss of important protection against certain microbial infections. Recurrences of tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, and zoster are especially sensitive to immune depletion. The consequences of inhibition of cytokines, molecules, pathways and cells by these drugs are described, depicted, and tabulated.