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Cytokine-Suppressive Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Status of Development in Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Review Article
  • Research Perspective
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Summary

During the last decade many studies have been published pointing to the central role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of the inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical trials targeting several different cytokines have been performed and have yielded positive results, with anti-tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) trials being the most promising.

Dysregulation of cytokine production, TNFα in particular, might be an essential step in the cascade of mediators regulating inflammation. Thus, this review examines the effects of current interventions targeted at cytokines. In addition, the available information on the effect of established antirheumatic drugs on cytokine production is examined, and promising future prospects such as transcription inhibitors, agents that regulate the degradation of messenger RNA and protease inhibitors are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leiden, Building 1 C4-R, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Tom W. J. Huizinga & Ferdinand C. Breedveld

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  1. Tom W. J. Huizinga
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  2. Ferdinand C. Breedveld
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Huizinga, T.W.J., Breedveld, F.C. Cytokine-Suppressive Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Clin. Immunother. 6, 395–404 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03259358

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