title: Blocking interleukin-1 as a novel therapeutic strategy for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.
abstract: The inflammatory hypothesis of atherosclerosis postulates that inflammation within the plaque promotes plaque progression and complications. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine responsible for the amplification of the inflammatory response following injury. Animal studies show that IL-1 blockade is effective in limiting atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis and improving outcomes in acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Preliminary data in patients with acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and heart failure are promising. A large secondary prevention trial with canakinumab in patients with prior acute myocardial infarction is currently ongoing. Many unanswered questions remain regarding the optimal use of IL-1 blockade and the preferred agent.
authors.affiliation: VCU Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, 23298, USA. aabbate@mcvh-vcu.edu
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbate
authors.forename: Benjamin W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Van Tassell
authors.forename: Giuseppe G L
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Biondi-Zoccai
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C541220:canakinumab; C531377:rilonacept; C547697:gevokizumab