Cytokine-targeting biologics for allergic diseases.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Asthma and allergic diseases continue to increase in prevalence, creating a financial burden on the health care system and affecting the quality of life for those who have these diseases. Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors are involved in the initiation and maintenance of the allergic response. Cytokines are proteins with growth, differentiation, and activation functions that regulate and direct the nature of immune responses. DATA SOURCES clinicaltrials.gov and PubMed. STUDY SELECTIONS Relevant clinical trials and recent basic science studies were chosen for discussion. RESULTS: Many cytokines have been implicated in the development and perpetuation of the allergic response. Biologics have been and are continuing to be developed that target these molecules for use in patients with asthma and atopic dermatitis where standard treatment options fail. The current state of cytokine-targeting therapies is discussed. CONCLUSION: This review focused on cytokines involved in the allergic response with an emphasis on those for which therapies are being or have been developed.