How JAK Inhibitors Work

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the lining of joints, causing pain and inflammation.

If not treated effectively, it can lead to severe, progressive destruction of cartilage, bone, tendons, and ligaments.

To treat RA, doctors might first try medication that temporarily reduces pain and inflammation but does not prevent the underlying condition from worsening.

Newer drugs called JAK inhibitors prevent inflammation from inside the cells.

Unlike other biological RA treatments, which may need to be injected into the skin, JAK inhibitors can be taken as a pill.

Once ingested, these inhibitors are directly absorbed into the bloodstream and can be carried to nearly anywhere to work directly on the immune system.

JAK enzymes play a role in sending activation signals along pathways that initiate many inflammatory immune processes.

By blocking the enzymes, these inhibitors target the cause of the inflammation and damage and can help relieve RA symptoms.