Therapeutics: Interleukin-1 receptor

Mouse studies suggest antagonizing IL-1 receptor could help treat bacterial airway infections in cystic fibrosis (CF). In mouse models of CF with Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Aspergillus fumigatus airway infection, the IL-1 receptor antagonist Kineret anakinra decreased bacterial burden and neutrophil recruitment to the lung and increased survival compared with no treatment. Next steps include testing other anti-inflammatory compounds to treat bacterial airway infections in CF and other diseases.

Amgen Inc., Crealta Pharmaceuticals LLC and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB market Kineret to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and have the compound approved to treat arthritis...