The Jak/STAT pathway: A focus on pain in rheumatoid arthritis

Pain is a manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that mediated by inflammatory and non-inflammatory mechanisms negatively affects quality life. Recent findings from Phase 3 clinical trial showed patients with RA who were treated Janus kinase 1 (Jak1) 2 (Jak2) inhibitor achieved significantly greater improvements in pain than those tumor necrosis factor blocker; both treatments resulted similar changes standard measures markers inflammation. These suggest Jak1 Jak2 inhibition may relieve caused are consistent the overarching involvement Jak-signal transducer activator transcription (Jak/STAT) pathway mediating action, expression, regulation multitude pro- anti-inflammatory cytokines. In this review, we provide an overview RA, underlying importance cytokines regulated directly or indirectly Jak/STAT pathway, therapeutic targeting RA. As highlighted herein, multiple play important roles various Having better understanding these help clinicians make treatment decisions optimize control inflammation pain.