Embracing novel cytokines in RA - complexity grows as does opportunity!

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Aug;24(4):479-87. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2010.01.004.

Abstract

Current therapeutics for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) offer limited efficacy in a restricted number of patients. There is, therefore, an unmet clinical need for the development of more efficacious therapeutics for the treatment of disease. Anti-TNFalpha therapy has provided proof of principle that cytokine blockade is an appropriate strategy by which to inhibit disease progression. In this review, we describe the basic biology of potential novel cytokine targets and the results of recent clinical trials, with particular focus on the cytokines related to Th17 biology, namely interleukin (IL)-12, IL-23 and IL-17, in addition to the TNF superfamily and the adipocytokines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipokines / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Adipokines / biosynthesis
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Cytokines / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis
  • Synovial Membrane / drug effects
  • Synovial Membrane / metabolism
  • Th17 Cells / drug effects*
  • Th17 Cells / immunology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Adipokines
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-17
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha