Dosing and uses of Baricitinib
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Pending FDA approval for rheumatoid arthritis
Pharmacology of Baricitinib
Mechanism of action
Janus kinases (JAKs) pathways inhibitor; JAK consists of a group of intracellular tyrosine kinases that transmit signals from cytokine or growth factor-receptor interactions on the cellular membrane to influence cellular processes of hematopoieses and immune cell function
Within the signaling pathway, JAKs phosphorylate and activate signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) which modulate intracellular activity including gene expression; baricitinib modulates the signaling pathway at the point of JAKs, preventing the phosphorylation and activation of STATs
These signals are essential in maintaining the inflammatory condition in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); inhibition of JAKs reduces production of and modulates proinflammatory cytokines central to RA