Inflammatory intestinal diseases
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
Mesalamine can rarely cause myocarditis, creating a challenge for ongoing UC treatment. This report shows upadacitinib was used successfully as an alternative when biologics were considered higher cardiac risk and corticosteroid-sparing therapy was needed.
Who Should Pay Attention
Adult patients with ulcerative colitis, clinicians treating drug-induced myocarditis or intolerances, and people considering non–anti-TNF treatment options.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
A patient in his 30s developed confirmed mesalamine-induced myocarditis (elevated troponin T, reduced ejection fraction, positive drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test). Cardiac function improved with corticosteroids but his UC relapsed while tapering steroids.
After multidisciplinary discussion, clinicians started upadacitinib because anti-TNF therapy was considered higher cardiac risk and steroid-sparing therapy was needed. The report states rapid symptomatic improvement and complete mucosal healing (Mayo endoscopic subscore 0) on colonoscopy at 6 months.
The authors present this as the first published case of using upadacitinib in UC after mesalamine-induced myocarditis and suggest JAK inhibitors might be an option when conventional biologics are unsuitable.
Keep In Mind
Single-case report framed in the article abstract; not proof of general safety or efficacy. The report notes cardiac recovery with steroids and choice of upadacitinib after multidisciplinary discussion.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationInflammatory intestinal diseases
AuthorsTanaka T, Nakashima T, Kinugasa M
Study typeJournal article, case reports
Indexed viaEurope PMC
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedJan 1, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Sweet’s syndrome during anti-TNF therapy with successful rescue using a JAK inhibitor in refractory ulcerative colitis: a case report and literature review
People with UC can develop severe neutrophilic skin complications like Sweet’s syndrome that may reflect active bowel inflammation even when recent tests suggested remission.
A Case of Elderly-Onset Ulcerative Colitis with Large-Vessel Giant Cell Arteritis Treated Successfully with Tofocitinib.
Older adults with ulcerative colitis can rarely develop large-vessel giant cell arteritis as an extraintestinal complication.
Sequential Biologic, Small-Molecule, and GLP-1 Analogue Therapy in Postcolectomy Enteritis With High Output Stoma.
People with ulcerative colitis who have had colectomy can rarely develop inflammation of the small intestine and high-output stomas that are hard to control.