Effect of interleukin 1β inhibition in cardiovascular disease.
OBJECTIVE
Atherosclerosis is greatly influenced by inflammatory mediators at all phases. Recent studies have suggested a causal role of one such mediator, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), in the development of atherosclerotic vascular disease. This review highlights recent investigation of the role of IL-1β in atherosclerosis and the potential of its inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease.


RESULTS
Studies in animals have generally shown decreased atherosclerotic plaque burden in atherosclerosis-prone mice deficient in IL-1β and increased plaque in mice exposed to excess IL-1β. In humans, IL-1β was found in greater concentrations in atherosclerotic human coronary arteries compared with normal coronary arteries. Preclinical and clinical studies of IL-1β inhibition have shown efficacy in the treatment of several inflammatory disorders, suggesting that IL-1β may be a novel therapeutic target for anti-inflammatory therapy in atherosclerosis, such as coronary artery disease (CAD).


CONCLUSIONS
IL-1β inhibition offers an interesting and biology-based opportunity to test the potential beneficial effects of an anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategy in patients with CAD. A large clinical trial evaluating the impact of IL-1β inhibition in CAD is ongoing and will be an important test of the inflammation hypothesis in CAD.
Cardiovascular Institute, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, and Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Arman
A
Qamar
Daniel J
DJ
Rader
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D053583:Interleukin-1beta