Jaknib 5 mg (Tofacitinib)
Indications
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tofacitinib is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active
rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate. It may be used as
monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate or other nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
(DMARDs).
Psoriatic Arthritis: Tofacitinib is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis who have
had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate or other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
(DMARDs).
Ulcerative Colitis: Tofacitinib is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active
ulcerative colitis (UC).
Pharmacology
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by a dysregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines
including IL7, IL15, IL21, IL6, IFN-alpha, and IFN-beta. (3) Cytokine signaling results in tissue inflammation and joint
damage by stimulating the recruitment and activation of immune cells via the Janus kinase signaling pathway.
Tofacitinib is a partial and reversible Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that will prevent the body from responding to
cytokine signals. By inhibiting JAKs, tofacitinib prevents the phosphorylation and activation of STATs. The JAK-STAT
signaling pathway is involved in the transcription of cells involved in hematopoiesis, and immune cell function.
Tofacitinib works therapeutically by inhibiting the JAK-STAT pathway to decrease the inflammatory response.
However, there is evidence to suggest that it may also achieve efficacy via other pathways as well.
