Neurology

Mouse studies suggest IL-1 receptor antagonists could help treat Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). In hippocampal samples from a mouse model of CJD, levels of IL-1β were higher than in the hippocampus of age-matched normal mice. In synaptic transmission assays in hippocampal slices from the model, the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) Kineret anakinra increased synaptic plasticity compared with no treatment. Also in the CJD model, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of Kineret decreased the frequency and duration of seizures compared with vehicle. Next steps could include identifying and testing IL-1 receptor antagonists that cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the model.

Amgen Inc., Horizon Pharma plc and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB market Kineret to treat rheumatoid arthritis and have the compound approved to treat arthritis. Amgen and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum also market Kineret to treat CIAS1-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) and have the compound in Phase II testing to treat acute gout...