JAK (Janus Kinase) Inhibitors

[Fred]

My dermatologist has spoken to me about testing a new treatment she said it was a JAK inhibitor. I have found this

Emerging clinical research has demonstrated the integral role of Janus kinase (JAK) proteins in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. As of 2010, two new oral JAK inhibitor drugs, ruxolitinib and tofacitinib (formerly called tasocitinib), have shown rapid and promising efficacy in Phase I/II trials with patients showing significant skin clearing within one week of beginning treatment. Ruxolitimib has completed Phase II clinical trials supplied as a topical cream.

however she said it was an injection under the skin like the bio's

I can't find any info, and she said she couldn't give me much more as it's still in trial and her professor would have to contact me to discuss it.

Janus kinase (JAK) is a family of intracellular, nonreceptor tyrosine kinases that transduce cytokine-mediated signals via the JAK-STAT pathway which transmits information from chemical signals outside the cell, through the cell membrane, and into gene promoters on the DNA in the cell nucleus, which causes DNA transcription and activity in the cell. The JAK-STAT system is a major signaling alternative to the second messenger system.

The JAK-STAT system consists of three main components: a receptor Janus kinase (JAK) and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT).

The receptor is activated by a signal from interferon, interleukin, growth factors, or other chemical messengers. This activates the kinase function of JAK, which autophosphorylates itself (phosphate groups act as "on" and "off" switches on proteins). The STAT protein then binds to the phosphorylated receptor. STAT is phosphorylated and translocates into the cell nucleus, where it binds to DNA and promotes transcription of genes responsive to STAT.

So anyone got any info on JAK inhibitors please?

[Krissie_Wright]

Hi Fred,

I could give you plenty of info on the biochemical/cellular roles of the JAK/STAT pathways that are involved in gene regulation and cellular growth but I am assuming the info you are looking for is regarding medical treatment with the inhibitors of which I know very little.

What I do know is that JAK is involved in cellular proliferation (multiplication) and to inhibit it would lead cells to undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death) which is one of the processes that is believed to have gone wrong in psoriasis as the cells keep growing and dividing at a higher rate than normal skin cells.

I can give you more info on the processes it's involved in if you'd like but as to medical uses I believe it's really only been used as a camcer therapy.

Krissie

[Fred]

Hi Fred,

I could give you plenty of info on the biochemical/cellular roles of the JAK/STAT pathways that are involved in gene regulation and cellular growth but I am assuming the info you are looking for is regarding medical treatment with the inhibitors of which I know very little.

What I do know is that JAK is involved in cellular proliferation (multiplication) and to inhibit it would lead cells to undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death) which is one of the processes that is believed to have gone wrong in psoriasis as the cells keep growing and dividing at a higher rate than normal skin cells.

I can give you more info on the processes it's involved in if you'd like but as to medical uses I believe it's really only been used as a camcer therapy.

Krissie

Hello Krissie, Sorry I forgot you know about microbiology, what an asset for Psoriasis Club. I would like to know more, I understand the TNF blockers but have never heard of JAK till today.