Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Time-resolved Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Assays for Measurement of Endogenous Phosphorylated STAT Proteins in Human Cells
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Time-resolved Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Assays for Measurement of Endogenous Phosphorylated STAT Proteins in Human Cells

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Pharmacological targeting of the JAK-STAT pathway: new concepts and emerging indications

Teemu Haikarainen1,2, Anniina T Virtanen3, Benjamin F Cravatt4

  • 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland. teemu.haikarainen@tuni.fi.

Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|January 4, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) inhibitors show promise for treating diseases. While JAK inhibitors are approved, new research focuses on improving STAT inhibitor development and exploring novel therapeutic uses for JAK-STAT pathway inhibition.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Type I/II cytokine receptors utilize Janus kinases (JAKs) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) for cellular signaling.
  • Dysregulation of the JAK-STAT pathway is implicated in numerous diseases, making JAK and STAT proteins key therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in the development of JAK and STAT inhibitors.
  • To discuss emerging therapeutic indications for targeting the JAK-STAT pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on JAK and STAT inhibitor development.
  • Analysis of mechanistic and structural insights driving drug discovery.
  • Exploration of clinical trial data for novel compounds.

Main Results:

  • Fifteen JAK inhibitors are approved for immunological and hematological diseases, but safety concerns limit their use.
  • STAT inhibitor development has been challenging, with new compounds now entering clinical trials.
  • Improved potency, selectivity, and safety are key goals in current JAK inhibitor drug development.

Conclusions:

  • JAK and STAT inhibitors represent promising therapeutic strategies for various diseases.
  • Further research into STAT inhibitors and novel applications of JAK-STAT inhibition is warranted.
  • Optimizing JAK inhibitor safety and efficacy remains an important focus in drug development.

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