This Common RA Treatment May Have a Deadly Side Effect

If you or a loved one have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know the daily struggle of stiff joints, pain, and inflammation.

Treatment is essential—but what if the very drugs prescribed to help are increasing your risk of a deadly illness?

A large study just published in JAMA Network Open found that certain arthritis medications may significantly increase the risk of cancer—and not after years of use, but within just two years of starting treatment.

For patients who trust their medications to bring relief, this revelation is unsettling.

Let’s break down what this study found—and what every RA patient should know…

Researchers analyzed data from 25,305 rheumatoid arthritis patients between 2012 and 2021 and compared their health outcomes. The goal? To determine whether certain disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) might be linked to cancer.

Here’s what they found…

Patients taking rituximab had the highest cancer risk, with 171 cases per 10,000 person-years. Those on JAK inhibitors and abatacept also showed an elevated risk.Even patients on tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis)—which are often considered safer—developed cancer more quickly than expected.

The big question: Why aren’t patients being told about these risks?

Here are where some of the gaps are…

• No Formal Cancer Screening Guidelines – Despite growing evidence of cancer risk, there are no official cancer screening recommendations for RA patients on these drugs.
• Immune Suppression is a Double-Edged Sword – While these drugs reduce inflammation, they also weaken immune surveillance, potentially allowing cancer cells to thrive.
• Big Pharma’s Silence – These medications generate billions in annual revenue. But has the rush to expand treatment options outpaced safety concerns?

Dr. Tamiko Katsumoto, an immunology expert at Stanford, notes that while immune-suppressing drugs are essential for controlling RA, the long-term consequences remain unclear. “This study suggests that certain drugs may contribute to increased cancer risk, yet there are still no official screening protocols for these patients,” she explains.

If you’re taking an RA medication, here’s what you need to know:

Ask your doctor about cancer screening. Given the study’s findings, proactive testing for cancer markers could be beneficial.

Make note of any unusual symptoms. Fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or persistent pain could signal a problem—don’t ignore them. While medications have their place, natural supplements like turmeric, omega-3s, and resveratrol may help reduce inflammation safely, so consider natural anti-inflammatory alternatives.

Not all RA medications showed the same risks. Talk to your doctor about options that balance effectiveness and safety.

RA patients deserve honest conversations about risk. If a medication has the potential to increase cancer rates, that’s something patients should know upfront—not after they’ve been on it for years.

While these drugs are essential for many, informed decisions lead to better health outcomes.

To knowing the truth about medications,

Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team

P.S. Is rheumatoid arthritis affecting more than your joints?

Sources:

Bhowmik, S. (2025, March 3). Do Antirheumatic Drugs Increase the Risk of Cancer? MedCentral; MC. https://www.medcentral.com/rheumatology/rheumatoid-arthritis/do-antirheumatic-drugs-increase-the-risk-of-cancer