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Review
. 2022 Oct 4;23(19):11788.
doi: 10.3390/ijms231911788.

Why Do We Need JAK Inhibitors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

Patricia Richter  1   2 , Anca Cardoneanu  1   2 , Alexandra Maria Burlui  1   2 , Luana Andreea Macovei  1   2 , Ioana Bratoiu  1   2 , Oana Nicoleta Buliga-Finis  3   4 , Elena Rezus  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Why Do We Need JAK Inhibitors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

Patricia Richter et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multifactorial autoimmune disease with complex pathogenesis characterized by the imbalance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Janus kinases (JAKs), intracellular non-receptor tyrosine kinases, are essential for signal pathways of many cytokines. The JAK signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathways consist of four JAK kinases and seven STATs family members. The dysregulation of JAK-STAT pathways represents an important process in the pathogenesis of SLE. Thus, the use of therapies that target specific signaling pathways would be a challenge in SLE. It is well known that JAK inhibitors have real potential for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, but their efficacy in the treatment of SLE remains to be determined. JAK inhibitors are currently being investigated in phase II and III trials and are considered to become the next stage in SLE therapy. In this review, we report the current data regarding the efficacy of JAK inhibitors in SLE. The development of clinically useful kinase inhibitors might improve upon traditional therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: JAK inhibitor; Janus kinases; cytokines; systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mechanism of action of JAK inhibitors.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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