Janus kinase (JAK)-inhibitors and coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Currently, JAK-inhibitors are repurposed for therapy of Covid-19 because of their ability in restraining immune response, yet the corroboration regarding their advantage is still unclear. This study sought to analyze the efficacy of JAK-inhibitors to ameliorate the outcomes of Covid-19 sufferer. Research design and methods: Using specific keywords, we comprehensively go through the potential articles on ClinicalTrials.gov, Europe PMC, and PubMed sources until June 2^nd, 2021. All published studies on JAK-inhibitors and Covid-19 were collected. Results: There were 14 studies with 4,363 Covid-19 patients contained in the meta-analysis. Based on our data, we suggested that JAK-inhibitors corresponded with increased recovery rate (RR 1.17; 95%CI: 1.01–1.36, p= 0.040, I ² = 91%, random-effect modeling); shortened time to recovery (mean difference −0.96; 95%CI: −1.15, −0.77, p< 0.00001, I ² = 28%, random-effect modeling); reduction of clinical deterioration risk (RR 0.66; 95%CI: 0.48–0.89, p= 0.008, I ² = 57%, random-effect modeling); and reduction of Covid-19 mortality (RR 0.52; 95%CI: 0.36–0.76, p= 0.0006, I ² = 33%, random-effect modeling). Conclusions: This study propose that JAK-inhibitors perhaps provide advantageous effects on Covid-19 outcomes. JAK-inhibitors may be given during 1–2 weeks of disease to optimize its beneficial effects in halting the exaggerated immune response.