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Interleukin-1 Blockade in Cardiovascular Diseases: From Bench to Bedside

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Abstract

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is the prototypical pro-inflammatory cytokine that occupies an apical place in the inflammatory cascade and also modulates cardiac function, functioning as a soluble cardiodepressant factor. Preclinical research over the past 4 decades has shown that blocking IL-1 processing or activity favorably affects cardiomyocyte survival and cardiac function in experimental animal models, paving the way for clinical studies in patients with heart disease. The promising results of phase II clinical trials of IL-1 blockade in patients with acute myocardial infarction and heart failure have been followed by a successful phase III trial in patients with prior acute myocardial infarction. Three IL-1 blockers with different mechanism of action are currently available for clinical use, although currently none have an indication for heart disease. We herein review the bench-to-bedside clinical translation of IL-1 targeting strategies and discuss the potential use of IL-1 blockade in patients with heart disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Department of Pharmacy Services, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Leo F Buckley

  2. VCU Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1200 E Broad St, Box 980204, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA

    Antonio Abbate

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  1. Leo F Buckley
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Correspondence to Antonio Abbate.

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No funding was received for the preparation of this manuscript.

Conflict of interest

Dr Abbate has received research support and consultant fees from Novartis, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum and Olatec. Dr Buckley reports no conflicts of interest.

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Buckley, L.F., Abbate, A. Interleukin-1 Blockade in Cardiovascular Diseases: From Bench to Bedside. BioDrugs 32, 111–118 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40259-018-0274-5

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