Researchers identify risks and advancements in drug delivery and viral response

Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have identified a potential side effect of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. While these anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used to treat autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, research published in NAR Molecular Medicine suggests they may facilitate the spread of certain viruses throughout the body.

By suppressing specific immune signaling pathways, these inhibitors may weaken the body’s natural defenses against pathogens. The study indicates that viruses such as Influenza A, SARS-CoV-2, adenovirus, and Rift Valley fever could potentially spread more easily in patients using these medications.

In a separate development, researchers from the University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital have developed a method to increase the longevity of protein-based drugs in the bloodstream. Published in Nature Communications, the study utilized engineered human albumin to extend the presence of erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone used to treat anemia.

This approach leverages the body’s natural albumin recycling system via the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) to prevent degradation. Additionally, the researchers demonstrated that this engineered protein could cross mucosal barriers through non-invasive administration, such as nasal delivery, in humanized mouse models.