A subgroup of patients with severe COVID-19 suffers from progression to acute respiratory
distress syndrome and multiorgan failure. These patients present with progressive
hyperinflammation governed by proinflammatory cytokines. An interdisciplinary COVID-19
work flow was established to detect patients with imminent or full blown hyperinflammation.
Using a newly developed COVID-19 Inflammation Score (CIS), patients were prospectively
stratified for targeted inhibition of cytokine signalling by the Janus Kinase 1/2 inhibitor …

With great interest, we had the opportunity to read the paper by La Rosée F et al.[1] in which
between March 30th and April 15th, 2020, using a newly developed COVID-19 Inflammation
Score (CIS), patients were prospectively stratified for targeted inhibition of cytokine signaling
by the Janus Kinase (JAK) 1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib (Rux). Fourteen patients were treated up
to 14 days with Rux at 7.5 mg per day (at an intermediate dose between GvHD, 5mg bid,
and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, 15 mg bid) with a CIS≥ 10 out of 16 points. The …