NFKB1 and COVID-19: Thirdly, the concept of a central role of NF-κB pathway in critical stage SARS-CoC-2 infected patients is supported by two recently published studies showing pronounced clinical effect in critical COVID-19 patients by Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, correlating with significantly decrease in inflammatory parameters (C-reactive protein and IL-6), normalized lymphopenia, and improved oxygenation (51, 52).