title: Is interleukin-1 a good target for therapeutic intervention in intervertebral disc degeneration: lessons from the osteoarthritic experience.
abstract: IL-1 plays a key role in disc degeneration and could be a valid target for inhibiting this process. IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) might be a good candidate to inhibit IL-1 activity. However, many questions need to be addressed before contemplating therapy in humans. IL-1 blockade is also a great challenge in osteoarthritis and results from animal models suggest that IL-1ra may have beneficial effects. The clinical benefit of a local injection of IL-1ra in knee osteoarthritis may be limited by the antagonist's short half-life. Further studies with longer-lasting antagonists are needed to explore this new therapeutic approach.
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Goupille
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Mulleman
authors: Xavier
authors: X
authors: Chevalier
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D007403:Intervertebral Disc; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1