title: Cytokine networks--towards new therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Success achieved so far in the blockade of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin (IL)-1 in rheumatoid arthritis exemplifies the feasibility and potential therapeutic application of antagonizing cytokine signaling. Despite these advances, there remains a considerable unmet clinical need in this field. A number of preclinical development programs are ongoing to target a variety of cytokines that are central to immune regulation and tissue-matrix destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Evidence indicates that IL-6 antagonists might represents a useful approach and preliminary data similarly identify IL-15 as an intriguing target. Numerous additional cytokines are under investigation at the preclinical stage, including IL-12-IL-23, IL-17 and IL-18. As therapeutic goals move from disease control towards remission induction, development of the capacity for cytokine targeting to modify the underlying immune dysregulation remains a major priority.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, University of Glasgow, UK. i.b.mcinnes@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
authors.forename: Iain B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: McInnes
authors.forename: Foo Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Liew
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D016207:Cytokines