Common anti-inflammatory drugs found to help viruses spread, study warns

NTNU researchers discover JAK inhibitors can weaken antiviral defenses

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Illustration: Common anti-inflammatory drugs found to help viruses spread, study warns

Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have found that a widely used class of anti-inflammatory drugs, Janus kinase inhibitors, may make it easier for certain viruses to infect cells and spread through the body.

A new study published in NAR Molecular Medicine by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has revealed a potentially serious side effect of a common class of anti-inflammatory medications. Janus kinase inhibitors, or JAKs, are widely prescribed for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, but the study finds they can suppress an important immune signalling pathway that normally helps protect healthy cells from viral attacks.

“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,” said Denis Kainov, a professor at NTNU’s Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine.

Among the viruses the researchers say may more readily infect cells with the help of these drugs are Rift Valley fever virus, influenza A, adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The team, including PhD research fellow Erlend Ravlo and researcher Aleksandr Ianevski, used advanced virology methods, gene expression analysis and organoid technology to examine the effects in cells from the lungs, eyes and brain.

“In particular, the drugs suppress an important immune signalling pathway that helps protect healthy cells from viral attacks,” Ravlo said. The scientists found that JAK inhibitors, including the drug baricitinib, can reduce the activity of genes that play a crucial role in the body's response to viral infections.

“Although JAK inhibitors are effective in the treatment of inflammation, this shows that they can pose a hidden risk for patients who have latent or active viral infections,” Ravlo added. The researchers recommend further studies to understand how the drugs can be used optimally, especially during virus outbreaks or pandemics.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

Patients taking JAK inhibitors for autoimmune conditions may face increased vulnerability to viral infections, including COVID-19 and influenza.
The findings raise important considerations for prescribing these drugs during outbreaks or pandemics.
The same immune-suppressing properties could also be harnessed in controlled laboratory settings to aid vaccine or antiviral drug development.

Background

JAK inhibitors are a class of drugs used to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases by suppressing immune responses that cause inflammation. The new research shows this suppression can also interfere with the body's natural antiviral defenses, potentially facilitating viral infection and spread. The study involved experiments on human cells and miniature organ models to observe these effects across different tissue types.

What to Watch

Further studies to understand the full implications of JAK inhibitor use during viral outbreaks.
Potential updates to prescribing guidelines for these medications in light of the findings.

Sources

Common drugs may help dangerous viruses spread through the body · ScienceDaily

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe headline says a study found common anti-inflammatory drugs help viruses spread.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have discovered that a widely used class of anti-inflammatory medications may make it easier for certain viruses to infect cells and spread throughout the body.”
SupportedThe summary says NTNU researchers found JAK inhibitors can weaken antiviral defenses.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “By suppressing certain immune responses, they can also interfere with the mechanisms that normally protect the body from viral infections.”
SupportedThe opening says NTNU researchers found the drugs may make it easier for certain viruses to infect cells and spread through the body.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have discovered that a widely used class of anti-inflammatory medications may make it easier for certain viruses to infect cells and spread throughout the body.”
SupportedThe study was published in NAR Molecular Medicine.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “In a new study published in NAR Molecular Medicine, Kainov and his colleagues investigated how JAK inhibitors influence the body's ability to defend itself against viruses.”
SupportedDenis Kainov said, “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.”Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “"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," says Denis Kainov”
SupportedJAK inhibitors are widely prescribed for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “"JAK inhibitors are often prescribed for autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis," says Erlend Ravlo”
SupportedThe viruses named as potentially more readily affecting the body with these drugs are Rift Valley fever virus, influenza A, adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “"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," Kainov says.”
SupportedErlend Ravlo said, “In particular, the drugs suppress an important immune signalling pathway that helps protect healthy cells from viral attacks.”Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “"In particular, the drugs suppress an important immune signalling pathway that helps protect healthy cells from viral attacks," Ravlo said.”
SupportedThe team included Erlend Ravlo and Aleksandr Ianevski and used virology methods, gene expression analysis and organoid technology to examine cells from the lungs, eyes and brain.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “To investigate these effects, the scientists combined advanced virology methods with gene expression analysis and organoid technology. Their experiments included cells from the lungs, eyes and brain”
SupportedJAK inhibitors, including baricitinib, can reduce the activity of genes involved in the body's response to viral infections.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “The research team found that JAK inhibitors, including the medication baricitinib, can reduce the activity of genes involved in fighting viral infections.”
SupportedRavlo said JAK inhibitors can pose a hidden risk for patients with latent or active viral infections.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “"Although JAK inhibitors are effective in the treatment of inflammation, this shows that they can pose a hidden risk for patients who have latent or active viral infections," says Ravlo.”
SupportedThe researchers recommend further studies into optimal use of the drugs, especially during virus outbreaks or pandemics.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “"We recommend further studies to better understand how the drugs can be used optimally, especially during virus outbreaks or pandemics," says Ianevski.”