Targeting Interleukin-6 for Treatment of CKD and Cardiovascular Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have multiple shared pathophysiological risk factors and often coexist. Inflammation, particularly mediated by the interleukin-6 (IL-6) pathway, plays an important role in the development and progression of both conditions. In this review, we examine the mechanisms of IL-6 production and signaling and summarize clinical evidence for IL-6 upregulation in CKD and CVD. We discuss the impact of IL-6 on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes, the interplay between CKD, CVD, and associated complications, and the limitations of standard-of-care strategies in attenuating risks related to the presence of inflammation. We also provide an overview of recent advances in anti-inflammatory therapies, including IL-6 inhibitors in development. Finally, we highlight future research directions that are required to establish the efficacy and long-term safety of targeted anti-inflammatory therapies in CKD and CVD.