Therapeutic potential of interleukin-6 antagonism in bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic, severe, and highly disabling psychiatric disorder. Its underlying neurobiology remains largely unclear. A significant body of evidence indicates that inflammatory activation expressed by increased cytokines is relevant in its pathophysiology. IL-6 is one of the most important cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of immune and inflammatory disorders. Several studies recently showed increased levels of IL-6 in manic and depressive episodes and also during euthymia in subjects with BD. Tocilizumab is an IL-6 receptor antagonist being marketed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and Castleman's disease. In this article we discuss the possibility that tocilizumab may have a therapeutic role in treatment of BD through its anti-inflammatory action.
Brietzke
E
E
Bipolar Disorder Program, Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. elisabrietzke@hotmail.com
Scheinberg
M
M
Lafer
B
B
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors
D015850:Interleukin-6; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors