Describe the Mechanism of Action of Upadacitinib

Join Ingrid Pan, PharmD, a pediatric clinical pharmacist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, as she explores the mechanism of action of Upadacitinib (Rinvoq), a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor used in the treatment of rheumatologic and autoimmune conditions.

Upadacitinib is a selective JAK1 inhibitor, designed to target cytokine signaling pathways involved in inflammation, immune regulation, and disease progression. By blocking JAK1 signaling, it modulates key immune responses, including cytokine and interferon activity, lipid metabolism, and blood cell development. Compared to broader JAK1/2/3 inhibitors, selective JAK1 inhibition was developed with the goal of reducing risks such as cytopenias and other off-target effects. However, real-world data and clinical outcomes continue to assess whether this theoretical advantage translates into meaningful clinical differences.

JAK inhibitors, including Upadacitinib, remain an essential component of targeted immunomodulation in both pediatric and adult rheumatology, offering treatment options for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

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