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Tofacitinib is the first Janus kinase inhibitor which was approved for the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis in the USA. Several phase III studies proved the efficacy of Tofacitinib as monotherapy or in combination with established medication. This article discusses the therapeutic potential of this new pharmacological approach and the current data on efficacy and safety of Tofacitinib therapy with special emphasis on a prospective approval in the EU., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Losmapimod is a promising new agent against cardiovascular diseases. This drug works by inhibiting p38 MAP kinases, which play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and heart failure caused by ischemic conditions. Preclinical data from in vitro and in vivo studies suggest a protective role of pharmacological p38 inhibition with regard to the development of cardiovascular diseases. This article evaluates the therapeutic potential of this new pharmacological approach and discusses the current clinical data on Losmapimod., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Smoking is one of the major avoidable risks for mortality and morbidity. Thus developing new strategies for smoking cessation is a crucial medical challenge. Varenicline is an α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist developed especially for smoking cessation. Several trials proved the efficacy of varenicline and its superiority to other medications for smoking cessation (bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy). Varenicline was associated with severe cardiovascular and neuro-psychiatric side effects. This article discusses the current research data on efficacy and safety of varenicline therapy for smoking cessation., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)