Canakinumab in autoimmune and autoinflammatory rheumatic diseases

Abstract

Introduction: Novel biologic agents targeting interleukin-1 (IL-1) have been recently utilized in rheumatic diseases where only limited therapeutic options exist, particularly the autoinflammatory syndromes. Canakinumab, a recombinant fully humanized IL-1β long-acting monoclonal antibody has been recently approved for clinical use in several indications and is being studied in others.

Areas covered: Various studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of this drug in cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and gout. Moreover, several case series of promising efficacy in orphan autoinflammatory diseases have recently emerged in the literature.

Expert opinion: The pathophysiological role of IL-1β inhibition in rheumatic diseases and the role of this novel pharmacological agent in therapeutic intervention need to be studied further. The pivotal role of IL-1 in the pathogenesis of auto-inflammatory diseases and the emerging importance of IL-1b inhibition for the treatment of a wide-spectrum of diseases has the potential to reshape the therapeutic landscape.

Keywords::

• autoimmune inflammatory conditions
• canakinumab
• cryopyrin-associated syndromes
• IL-β inhibition
• systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Notes

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