Interleukin 4 as a potential drug candidate for psoriasis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is the central cytokine driving the differentiation of naive CD4(+) T helper (TH) cells into anti-inflammatory IL-4-producing TH2 cells. In contrast, IL-12/IL-23 promotes the development of TH1/TH17 immune responses that induce organ-specific autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis or multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE:

We focus on the potential of IL-4 and TH2 induction to treat inflammatory autoimmune diseases.

METHODS:

Here, we summarize the basics for the establishment of the in vitro and in vivo conditions for the generation of TH2 immune responses, followed by various experimental data showing the therapeutic use of IL-4 for the therapy of autoimmune diseases. This data and early experiences with recombinant human IL-4 (rhIL-4) in the therapy of patients with cancer set the basis for the clinical introduction of rhIL-4 in the treatment of patients with psoriasis in a Phase I/II trial.

CONCLUSION:

IL-4 seems to act by inducing an anti-inflammatory phenotype and further clinical trials will explore the promising therapeutic potency of IL-4 in psoriasis during the upcoming era of biologics.

• Authors: Christina Weigert, Martin Röcken, Kamran Ghoreschi
• Journal: Expert opinion on drug discovery (Expert Opin Drug Discov) Vol. 3 Issue 3 Pg. 357-68 (Mar 2008) ISSN: 1746-0441 [Print] England
• PMID: 23480267 (Publication Type: Journal Article)