Effect of interleukin 1β inhibition in cardiovascular disease

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.

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).

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.