key: cord-0008202-270msv5l authors: Praveen, D.; Chowdary, Puvvada Ranadheer; Aanandhi, M. Vijey title: BARICITINIB - A JANUASE KINASE INHIBITOR - NOT AN IDEAL OPTION FOR MANAGEMENT OF COVID 19 date: 2020-04-04 journal: Int J Antimicrob Agents DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.105967 sha: 04383994da0f349f314e59c9a414a9c8cc5b4448 doc_id: 8202 cord_uid: 270msv5l • Several studies suggested Baricitinib as a potential drug for the management of COVID 19 infection through drug repurposing strategies because of its ability to act on AT2 cells and AAK1 mediated endocytosis. • Baricitinib, a Januase Kinase Inhibitor, have known to cause Lymphocytopenia, Neutropenia and Viral Reactivation. • Reported Epidemiological studies have shown that COVID 19 patients have a lesser absolute lymphocyte count closer to the threshold value. • Moreover, incidence of Co-infection for COVID 19 patients is one of the leading causes of Mortality. Baricitinib may enhance the incidence of Co-infection. • Hence, Baricitinib may not be an ideal option for Management of COVID 19. Drug repurposing strategies are being considered for management of COVID 19. Among the identified drugs, Baricitinib has become a keen interest for researchers because of its ability to inhibit the viral assembly by the prevention of AP-2 associated protein Kinase 1 associated endocytosis. The most important human receptor for the SARS S glycoprotein in human is the angiotensin converting enzyme 2. 1 Novel corona virus has a similar glycoprotein which may also target angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 is predominantly available in the lower respiratory tract especially in the lung AT 2 alveolar epithelial cells. 2 This AT2 cells are prone to viral infections like SARS corona virus. 3 These cells might help in the possible viral reproduction and transmission through endocytosis. 4 AP-2 associated protein Kinase 1 (AAK1) is potential promoter of this endocytosis helping the viral assembly in the intracellular matrix. 5 Cyclin G associated kinase is another regulator of this endocytosis. 6 Baricitinib is another drug that can be a potential option for the management of this novel corona viruses. Baricitinib inhibits both AP 2 associated protein Kinase 1 as well as the Cyclin G associated Kinase. Thereby preventing the endocytosis it can reduce the viral assembly. Baricitinib is an inhibitor of Janus Kinase JAK 1 and JAK 2 and therefore it might help in managing the inflammation. 7 Several studies suggested the use of Baricitinib for treating COVID 19. 3, 8 Studies have suggested that Baricitinib cannot be initiated in patients with absolute neutrophil count less than 1x10 9 cells/L. Similarly, it cannot be initiated in patients with an absolute lymphocyte count less than 0.5x10 9 cells/L. 9 In the epidemiological studies being carried out the values of the selected patients are closer to the threshold levels in the baseline. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 (Table 1 ). An epidemiologic study reported that absolute lymphocyte count in the non-survivors is 0·6 x10 9 cells/L (Inter-quartile range : 0·5-0·8 x10 9 cells/L). 14 (Table 2) . Similarly another study carried out by Huang D et al reported that absolute lymphocyte count in patients receiving ICU Care is 0·4 x10 9 cells/L (Inter-quartile range : 0·2-0·8 x10 9 cells/L). 12 The risk of lymphocytopenia may affect the disease progression of COVID 19. Incidence of anaemia is predicted with Baricitinib therapy. 15 26% incidence of anaemia is reported in the non-survivors due to COVID 19 infection. 14 Initiation of Baricitinib therapy may further reduce these counts. 9 Elevations of Creatine Kinase was observed in patients with Baricitinib therapy. 15 Although the median value of creatine kinase is reported to be in the normal range (<175U/L), it is greatly increased in the critically ill patients and non survivors. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 46% of ICU patients have reported elevated creatine kinase levels. 12 In one critically ill patient the creatine kinase levels were as high as 493 U/L. 12 Elevated Creatine Kinase levels pose a risk for the initiation of baricitinib therapy. Limited data is available on the potential effects of Baricitinib in the elderly population of 75 years and above. 15 Fei Zhou et al reports that mortality is higher in the elderly patients. 14 Studies have reported increased incidence of Respiratory Tract Infections (16.3%) and Incidence of infective diseases (29-42%). Co-infection is one of the most common threats in the management of this novel corona virus infection. 10 There is also a risk of re-activation of latent infections. The patients will be at the risk of Tuberculosis as well as Hepatitis B. 16 Studies have concluded Baricitinib therapy has constituted for the reactivation of Varicella Zoster, Herpes Simplex and Epstein Barr Virus strains. 17 Fei Zhou et al reports that 50% patients who succumbed to COVID 19 experienced secondary infections. 14 Baricitinib as predicted earlier may not be an ideal drug of choice for COVID 19. Available therapeutic options must be explored in order to prevent the mortality in these cases. 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