An update on the pathogenic role of IL-6 in rheumatic diseases

Yuko Kaneko; Tsutomu Takeuchi

doi:10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155645

An update on the pathogenic role of IL-6 in rheumatic diseases

Cytokine. 2021 Oct:146:155645. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155645. Epub 2021 Jul 22.

Authors

Yuko Kaneko¹, Tsutomu Takeuchi²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Japan. Electronic address: ykaneko.z6@keio.jp.
² Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Japan.

PMID: 34303949
DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155645

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine that is involved in the pathogenesis of various rheumatic diseases. Direct inhibition of the IL-6 pathway by an anti-IL-6 receptor or inhibiting the ligand itself has proved to be efficacious in the treatment of these diseases. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, adult-onset Still's disease, large vessel vasculitis including giant cell arteritis and Takayasu disease, systemic sclerosis, and polymyalgia rheumatica respond well to IL-6 inhibition as expected. However, no clinically meaningful effect has been observed with regard to IL-6 blockade in ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. This review discusses the current state of IL-6 targeting approaches in various rheumatic diseases other than rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords: Interleukin-6; Rheumatic diseases.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
COVID-19 / pathology
Humans
Interleukin-6 / antagonists & inhibitors
Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Rheumatic Diseases / etiology*
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Interleukin-6