Biovitrum is dedicated to communicating and improving understanding of the role of cytokine pathways in the pathogenesis of
rheumatoid arthritis. This initiative is one aspect of 's ongoing commitment to rheumatology.
As part of the Biovitrum programme, the third edition of
Proinflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Primer for Clinicians, written by Charles A. Dinarello, MD and Lyle L. Moldawer, PhD provides the generalist as well as the practicing rheumatologist with an understanding of cytokine biology as it relates to rheumatoid arthritis. This educational Primer can be downloaded from this site.
The discovery that
interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-
α (TNF-
α) play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA led to the development of antagonists to decrease the activity of these two
proinflammatory cytokines. Given the complexity of cytokine interactions and the multiplicity of cytokine targets, modulation of IL-1 and
TNF-α can have multiple effects. With the increased use of anticytokine therapies for RA and other autoimmune diseases, one area of current clinical interest is the role of IL-1 and TNF-α in the host defence against infection. For more information on current understandings in this area, please refer to the downloadable booklets
The Role of IL-1 and TNF-α in Host Defense and
Science in Practice: Infections and Anticytokine Therapies.
