Cytokines orchestrate immune and inflammatory responses involved in the 
pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Protein kinases are essential for 
signal transduction in eukaryotic cells. Janus kinases (JAKs) are a family of 
protein tyrosine kinases that play a pivotal role in cytokine receptor 
signaling. Indeed, a major subgroup of cytokines use Type I and II cytokine 
receptors which signal via the activation of JAKs. Tofacitinib is an oral JAK 
inhibitor that has been studied in autoimmune pathologies, including UC and 
rheumatoid arthritis with good overall efficacy and acceptable safety profile. 
This literature review was performed with the goal of summarizing the knowledge 
on JAK inhibitors in UC treatment.