Efficacy and safety of tofacitinib on COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The use of drugs off-label for managing COVID-19 offers a potential approach. Among these potential drugs, tofacitinib, a JAK inhibitor, is strongly implicated in its ability to mitigate mortality by attenuating the cytokine storm syndrome. This study systematically reviewed and quantitatively assessed the effectiveness and safety profile of tofacitinib use through meta-analysis. Through searches of the PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases up to May 31, 2024, six articles meeting inclusion criteria were identified, encompassing 669 patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The review findings indicate that tofacitinib use demonstrates significant clinical efficacy, as evidenced by a reduced risk of mortality (P = 0.003), and a decreased need for invasive mechanical ventilation (P = 0.0002). Furthermore, tofacitinib use is not correlated with an increased risk of adverse drug reactions (P = 0.98), indicating a favorable safety profile. In conclusion, the evidence supports the clinical efficacy of tofacitinib for COVID-19 patients without concomitant risks of adverse effects. Further clinical studies, especially larger-scale randomized controlled trials, are necessary to validate the findings of this study.