Covid-19 and the Potential of Janus Family Kinase (Jak) Pathway Inhibition: A Novel Treatment Strategy Publisher



Khaledi M¹ ; Sameni F¹ ; Yahyazade S² ; Radandish M² ; Owlia P³ ; Bagheri N⁴ ; Afkhami H⁵ ; Mahjoor M⁶ ; Esmaelpour Z⁷ ; Kohansal M⁸ ; Aghaei F⁴
Source: Frontiers in Medicine Published:2022

Abstract

Recent evidence proposed that the severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients is a consequence of cytokine storm, characterized by increased IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. Hence, managing the cytokine storm by drugs has been suggested for the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19. Several of the proinflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 infection recruit a distinct intracellular signaling pathway mediated by JAKs. Consequently, JAK inhibitors, including baricitinib, pacritinib, ruxolitinib, and tofacitinib, may represent an effective therapeutic strategy for controlling the JAK to treat COVID-19. This study indicates the mechanism of cytokine storm and JAK/STAT pathway in COVID-19 as well as the medications used for JAK/STAT inhibitors. Copyright © 2022 Khaledi, Sameni, Yahyazade, Radandish, Owlia, Bagheri, Afkhami, Mahjoor, Esmaelpour, Kohansal and Aghaei.