Targeting cytokine pathways: the role of biologics in autoinflammatory disorders

Autoinflammatory diseases are inherited disorders of innate immunity, broadly classified into inflammasomopathies, interferonopathies, and complement-mediated disorders. They are characterized by dysregulated cytokine signaling - particularly IL-1, IL-6, TNF, type I interferon, and the JAK-STAT pathway-and are increasingly managed with molecular targeted therapies. Prototypical entities include familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), TNF receptor - associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), and cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS). Other conditions - notably mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD/HIDS), deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2), haploinsufficiency of A20 (HA20), OTULIN-related autoinflammatory syndromes, and proteasome-associated autoinflammatory syndromes (PRAAS) - are now recognized as biologic-responsive diseases.

This review summarizes molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies, focusing on IL-1 blockade with anakinra, canakinumab, and rilonacept, as well as IL-6 and TNF inhibitors, integrating evidence from clinical trials and real-world studies.

IL-1 inhibition has transformed the management of inflammasome-mediated diseases, enabling glucocorticoid-free remission and reducing amyloidosis risk. TNF inhibitors remain standard for vasculopathic disorders such as DADA2, while IL-6 blockade and JAK inhibitors are options in selected refractory cases. The recognition of novel syndromes, including HA20, OTULIN deficiency, and PRAAS, has broadened the therapeutic landscape, and next-generation biologics may further enable personalized treatment.