Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (Apr 2024)

5 Janus Kinase 1/2 inhibition Effect on Cytokine Levels in Tears of Patients with Ocular Graft Versus Host Disease

  • Sarah B. Sunshine,
  • Megan E Utz,
  • Cassidy M. Reandeau,
  • Caitlyn Wandvik,
  • Xuefang Cao,
  • Djordje Atanaokovic

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2024.28
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8
pp. 1 – 2

Abstract

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OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The goal of this study is to identify if ocular graft versus host disease (oGVHD) patients treated with a systemic JAK inhibitor have a change in their tear cytokine profile (a possible bio-marker) and oGVHD score. oGHVD is a severe inflammatory dry eye disease and major cause of morbidity after a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Janus Kinase (JAK) is an upstream regulator of cytokine production. A JAK 1/2 inhibitor, Ruxolitinib, was recently FDA approved for the treatment of chronic GVHD. We propose that JAK inhibition results incytokine changes in tears and improvement of oGVHD. To study this, we will quantify tear cytokines in patients with oGVHD, with and without systemic JAK inhibition treatment. Patients with ‘definite’ oGVHD based on the international chronic oGVHD diagnostic criteria (ICOGVHD) whom we have collected tears will be grouped based on JAK inhibition treatment. Tear cytokines are analyzed using Iso spark Meteor bulk quantitative proteomic analysis. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Seven patients were identified from our patient cohort who met inclusion criteria (oGVHD; tears collected while on Ruxolitinib), five patients were identified whom we have collected tears with oGVHD who have not taken ruxolitinib. The following 10 cytokines will be analyzed in the tears by the Iso spark Meteor bulk quantitative proteomic analysis: GM-CSF, IFN-g, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-a. The change in cytokine levels will be compared with the ICOGVHD score, corneal fluorescein staining, schirmers test (measurement of tear production), conjunctival injection score, ocular surface disease index score (validated symptomatic score of dry eye disease). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: OGVHD is a major cause of morbidity for patients who undergo a hematopoietic stem cell transplant and is the result of a highly complex immune process including dysregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is critical to understand the effect of cytokine changes on the eyes to potentially identify a biomarker and possible treatment targets.