Common anti-inflammatory medications can help viral spread

Common anti-inflammatory medications can help viral spread

New research reveals an unintended and unfortunate side effect of common medications. They can simply help spread viruses.

Medicines are intended to help us get rid of diseases or at least relieve the symptoms of them. It is therefore particularly unfortunate if, on the contrary, the drugs can contribute to making us sicker. Many medications can have side effects, but some are particularly serious.

We have found a surprising and potentially serious side effect of a class of anti-inflammatory drugs. They can help viruses spread more easily in the body. “

Denis Kainov, Professor, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine. Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Influenza, Covid-19 and other viruses spread more easily

These drugs, which can make the body particularly vulnerable to viral infections, are widely used. They are known as Janus kinase inhibitors or Jaks.

“Among the viruses that more easily affect the body with the help of these drugs are Rift Valley fever virus, influenza A, adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19,” says Kainov.

These are both serious and common viral infections that can be bad enough without the inadvertent help of medication.

Medications for autoimmune diseases and arthritis

In a new article in NAR Molecular Medicine, Kainov and colleagues describe how the drugs can promote viral infections.

“JAK inhibitors are often prescribed for autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis,” says Erlend Ravlo, a doctoral research student at NTNU and first author of the article.

But they also weaken the body's natural defenses against viruses.

“In particular, the drugs suppress an important immune signaling pathway that protects healthy cells from viral attacks,” said Ravlo.

Inhibits the important gene reaction against viruses

Researchers found that drugs like baricitinib slow down the genes that respond to viral infections.

“These genes play a crucial role in the body’s response to viral infections,” said Aleksandr Ianevski, an NTNU researcher and co-author of the new paper.

By stopping or slowing this signaling pathway, JAK inhibitors remove the body's antiviral shield. Then viruses can gain a foothold and spread more easily.

The researchers used advanced techniques in virology, organoid technology and gene expression analysis. They examined cells from lungs, eyes and brain as well as in laboratory-created mini-organs.

“Although JAK inhibitors are effective in treating inflammation, this shows that they may pose a hidden risk to patients with latent or active viral infections,” says Ravlo.

May be useful to know during drug development

The results suggest that healthcare professionals should be cautious when prescribing JAK inhibitors, especially during viral outbreaks.

However, the researchers note that this immunosuppressive effect may also be useful in controlled settings, such as in vaccine development or antiviral drug screening.

The researchers hope to raise awareness among doctors and researchers about the effects of these drugs.

“We recommend further studies to better understand how the drugs can be optimally used, especially during viral outbreaks or pandemics,” says Ianevski.

Professor Magnar Bjørås from the Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine contributed important professional knowledge and most of the funding for the research. The study was also funded by the Regional Health Authority, the Southeast Regional Health Authority, the Research Council of Norway and the Swedish Research Council.

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