Promising role of Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Treatment of COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has led to a widespread pandemic whose spread is astonishing, its treatment is uncertain, mortality is significant, and associated socioeconomic complications are uncontrollable. Although little is known about the pathogenesis of the disease, severe cases of COVID-19 are usually associated with cytokine release syndrome and high serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, which are thought to be the leading cause of death in these patients. Different pathways cause inflammation and the release of cytokines, one of which is the Bruton Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) pathway, which is important for the production of several anti-inflammatory cytokines. Theoretically, inhibition of BTK signaling could reduce cytokine levels and subsequent anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this review article is to investigate the role of BTK in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 disease and the possible effects of its inhibitory drugs in the treatment of this disease.