image: The mechanisms of the arthritis inflammatory response are induced through Negative Regulation of SMAD Protein Signal Transduction, Positive Regulation of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel Activity, and inhibition of the P53 Signaling Pathway.
Credit: Lan Xu, Anqi Lin, Zhengrui Li, Junyi Shen, Hao Chi, Hank Z.H. Wong, Jian Zhang, Qi Wang, Jianying Xu, Pengpeng Zhang, Peng Luo.
Certain anticancer agents, specifically VEGF(R) inhibitors, may induce arthritis, although this adverse effect remains inadequately characterized. This study sought to systematically evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and underlying mechanisms of this condition.
Analyses of international pharmacovigilance data, post-treatment inflammatory markers in patients, and murine model experiments collectively demonstrated an elevated arthritis risk associated with these therapeutics, particularly among females and individuals under 65 years of age. Increased inflammatory responses were observed clinically, and activation of pro-inflammatory pathways in bone tissue was confirmed experimentally.
These findings provide important mechanistic insights and contribute to the development of improved strategies for the prevention and management of this treatment-related adverse event, ultimately enhancing oncology care safety.
Journal
Communications Medicine
Method of Research
Data/statistical analysis
Subject of Research
People
Article Title
Insights from Pharmacovigilance Databases, Clinical Cohorts and Preclinical Models into VEGF(R) Inhibitor-Induced Arthritis in Cancer
Article Publication Date
18-Nov-2025
COI Statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.