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Cytokine-directed therapy in asthma
Masakazu Ichinose1, Peter J Barnes
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Japan. masakazu@wakayama-med.ac.jp
Current Drug Targets. Inflammation and Allergy
|September 24, 2004
Summary
Novel asthma therapies targeting cytokines show mixed results. While anti-IL-5 is ineffective for symptoms, targeting IL-13 and multiple cytokines via inhalation may offer future treatment options for managing asthma inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Asthma pathogenesis involves multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Current anti-cytokine therapies demonstrate variable efficacy in asthma management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of novel anti-cytokine and anti-chemokine therapies for asthma.
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting specific cytokines and chemokines in asthma.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical trial data for anti-cytokine therapies (e.g., anti-IL-5, anti-IL-4, anti-IL-13, anti-TNF-alpha).
- Assessment of chemokine receptor antagonists (e.g., CCR3 antagonists) in asthma development.
- Consideration of multi-cytokine inhibitors and inhaled delivery routes.
Main Results:
- Anti-IL-5 antibody reduces eosinophils but not symptomatic asthma.
- IL-4 inhibition discontinued; IL-13 blockade shows potential.
- Inhibitory cytokines (IL-10, interferons, IL-12) have limited promise due to side effects.
- TNF-alpha inhibition may benefit severe asthma.
- CCR3 antagonists are in clinical development for asthma.
Conclusions:
- Targeting IL-13 and multiple cytokines, potentially via inhalation, represents a promising avenue for asthma therapy.
- Further development of chemokine receptor antagonists is ongoing.
- Multi-cytokine inhibitors may offer broader efficacy with reduced side effects through inhaled administration.