The potential of JAK/STAT pathway inhibition by ruxolitinib in the treatment of COVID-19

Graphical abstract
Highlights • The most important cause of COVID-19 deaths is the development of complications. • Dysregulated immune response and cytokine storm are the most important complications. • The JAK / STAT pathway is the main signal pathway that controls cytokine production. • The JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib may be a choice to prevent cytokine storm. • However, the disadvantages of ruxolitinib should also be considered.
Ruxolitinib is the first approved JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, and is known to interfere with the JAK / STAT signaling pathway, one of the critical cellular signaling pathways involved in the inflammatory response. This review presents an overview of SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic, and then focuses on the potential efficacy of ruxolitinib in this infection. The potential targets of ruxolitinib were determined by using genetic alterations that have been reported in COVID-19 patients. The potential effectiveness of ruxolitinib is suggested by evaluating the interactions of these potential targets with ruxolitinib or JAK/STAT pathway.