Overview Pulmonary-Allergy, Dermatological, Gastrointestinal & Arthritis: Novel, non-traditional, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory agents

Abstract

Traditional, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIAs) are arachidonate metabolite related. Since arachidonate metabolites do not induce the whole range of inflammatory responses, their blockade does not produce anti-inflammatory actions as potent as those of the corticosteroids. The recent development of cytokine research reveals the wide range involvement of IL-1, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in the inflammatory process. Therefore, cytokine antagonists produce the most effective means of treatment for inflammatory disorders and are as effective, or even more potent, than corticosteroids, without producing the side effects common to such compounds. The only IL-1 blocker available today is the natural IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 RA), a polypeptide which is easily metabolised in the bloodstream with a very short half-life (21 minutes). Thus, active research has been carried out to develop stable, long-acting agents which can be taken by oral administration or by parenteral injections rather than by intravenous infusion, which is required for IL-1 RA. A number of compounds which inhibit cytokine receptors, cytokine production, cytokine release, and/or cytokine converting enzymes will be reviewed. It is anticipated that safe and effective synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs will be developed in the near future.