Oligopeptide antagonist of IL-6: a novel approach to target IL-6 activities

Abstract

IL-6 exerts multiple effects on different systems. Increased levels of IL-6 are present in several inflammatory diseases as well as in cancer patients. The successful use of IL-6 antagonists in experimental models of inflammatory diseases as well as in human diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, clearly demonstrates that IL-6 is involved in the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases. This patent describes a novel oligopeptide that interferes with the binding of IL-6 to its receptor, thus acting as a receptor antagonist. This peptide inhibits the biological activities of IL-6 in vitro and in vivo. This approach is an interesting development among other strategies aimed at targeting IL-6 in inflammatory diseases and cancer.

Keywords::

• cancer
• inflammation
• IL-6
• oligopeptide
• receptor antagonist

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