Misc

© 2018 The Japan Academy. Molecules involved in the disease process facilitated our understanding of pathogenesis of the disease with unknown etiology such as immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases. Moreover, the targeted therapies against the proposed molecular targets by biological agents provide enormous benefits to the patients and societies. Here, I will review recent progress of the biological treatment in the immune-inflammatory diseases by focusing on the rheumatoid arthritis, the disease characterized by persistent polyarthritis leading to joint destruction and disability with autoimmune features, as a role model.

Fleishaker and colleagues reported on a double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial of a C-C chemokine-receptor type 5 (CCR5) antagonist, maraviroc, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with inadequate response to methotrexate, showing that it was ineffective. Two additional CCR5 antagonists, SCH351125 and AZD5672, also failed to demonstrate clinical efficacy. In addition, CCR5-blocking antibodies could not inhibit synovial fluid-induced monocyte chemotaxis. Thus, CCR5 appears not to be a desirable target in RA treatment. Given the multiple functions of CCR5, redundancies in the chemokine system, and patient selection in the trial, we overview the recent understanding for chemokine receptor blockade in the treatment of RA. © 2012 BioMed Central Ltd.