Phosphospecific flow cytometry for pharmacodynamic drug monitoring: Analysis of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway

Ramin Vafadari, Willem Weimar, Carla Baan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cytokines of the IL-2 receptor family act via activation of the JAK-STAT (janus tyrosine kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription) signaling pathway. These cytokines are pivotal for the development and function of lymphocyte subsets involved in the immune response after organ transplantation including T. B and natural killer cells. The new small drug molecule and JAK1/3 inhibitor, tofacitinib, is currently being tested in phase II and III clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and in organ transplantation. This agent specifically targets the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Here we discuss phosphospecific flow cytometry as a novel tool to monitor the JAR-STAT signaling pathway in kidney transplant patients and speculate that through the use of this pharmacodynamic tool the efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs can be assessed enabling optimization of the immunosuppressive therapy for individual transplant patients. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)1398-1405
Number of pages8
JournalClinica Chimica Acta
Volume413
Issue number17-18
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Research programs

  • EMC MM-04-39-05

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