STAT2 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Baricitinib treatment reduced the mRNA expression of functionally interconnected genes involved in SLE including STAT1-target, STAT2-target and STAT4-target genes and multiple IFN responsive genes.2 Furthermore, the study demonstrated that treatment with baricitinib 4 mg significantly decreased serum IL-12p40 and IL-6 cytokine levels at week 12, which persisted through week 24.