[Biologics for targeting inflammatory cytokines and their clinical application]

Inflammatory cytokines can mediate many biological processes and are tightly regulated by the body. Loss of control can trigger a range of diseases such as autoimmune inflammation and cancer. Therefore, a number of biological agents that can effectively regulate the biological effects of inflammatory cytokines such as recombinant anti-inflammatory cytokines, cytokine receptors and neutralizing antibodies have been extensively used in the treatment of related diseases caused by the imbalance of inflammatory cytokines. In recent years, in particular, a number of new innovative biological agents for blocking and regulating cytokine activities are emerging. In this article, we review the recent development and clinical use of the biologics targeting TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-17, and point out their inherent limitations and clinical risks. Finally, based on the research findings of our own and other scholars, we suggest some approaches and methods for reducing their side-effects and clinical risk. We consider that using modern biotechnology to improve the tissue specificity to inflammatory site and tumor will be an important development direction of such biologics.