Cytokines have become established as key mediators of the signs and
symptoms of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, dermatitis, asthma
and multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, they are involved in the cascade of
events leading to cardiovascular shock and are major regulators of the
function of immune cells.
This book reviews recent advances in the development of new
anti-inflammatory drugs. It addresses different therapeutic intervention
possibilities for new drugs, such as the cellular source of cytokines,
specific receptors which induce cytokine synthesis, intracellular
regulators of cytokine gene induction and expression, secretion and
activation of cytokines, cytokine receptors and signalling pathways from
these receptors. Accordingly, experts were drawn from different
backgrounds including academic research institutes, the pharmaceutical
industry and clinical pharmacology. In each area, the opportunities for
drug development are highlighted and, where possible, clinical data is
reviewed.

Inhalt
Contents. List of Contributors. Brian Henderson and Gerry Higgs: Targets
for modulating cytokine responses in inflammatory and infectious
diseases. Mary Lee MacKichan and Anthony L. DeFranco: Cell signalling
and cytokine induction by lipopolysaccharide. Rodger A. Allen and
Stephen E. Rapecki: Regulation of cytokine production by inhibitors of
cell signalling. Stanley T. Crooke: Oligonucleotide-based drugs in the
control of cytokine synthesis. Peter I. Croucher, Ingunn Holen and
Philip G. Hargreaves: Inhibiting cytokine-processing enzymes. Amanda
Suitters and Roly Foulkes: Cytokine-neutralizing therapeutic antibodies.
Ravinder N. Maini: The debut of anti-TNF therapy of rheumatoid arthritis
in the clinic. Anthony Meager: Blockade of cytokine activity by soluble
cytokine receptors. Michael F. Smith Jr.: Interleukin-1 receptor
antagonist. Raymond J. Owens and Simon Lumb: Therapeutic regulation of
cytokine signalling by inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein
kinase. Christian Bogdan, Yoram Vodovotz and John Letterio: TGF-ß and
IL-10: inhibitory cytokines regulating immunity and the response to
infection. Brian Henderson: Therapeutic control of cytokines: lessons
from microorganisms. Index