ObjectiveTo summary the advances of application of JAK/STAT signal transduction pathways in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). MethodsBy using the method of literature review, the relevant literatures on JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway and its role in various organs damage of SAP were reviewed. ResultsIn the early of SAP, due to the pancreatic acinar cells were damaged, lead to the pancreatic enzyme release, then caused the local inflammatory mediators such as cytokines release, activated the JAK/STAT signal transduction pathways, and through the cascade effect with other signaling pathways further lead to the greater amounts of the release of inflammatory mediators, and that caused the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). ConclusionsThe JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway may be the key factor of cytokine waterfall cascade reaction process in SAP. Inhibition of this pathway may be a new measure to control the "inflammatory reaction waterfall" in treatment SAP.