Anti-IL-1β therapies.

IL-1β is one of the major cytokines implicated in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory-associated diseases. Recent studies demonstrate that IL-1β is activated through inflammasomes, which are formed upon recognition of danger signals by the immune system. IL-1β is, therefore, becoming a focus for the development of new anti-inflammatory drug products. Current issued patents mainly covered the methods and the use of four types of IL-1β blockade compounds, namely anti-IL-1β antibody, IL-1 receptor antagonists such as sIL-1Ra and icIL-1Ra and IL1 trap. Two agents, Rilonacept and canakinumab were approved by the US FDA and others are in trial, in which beneficial results have been reported. One can expect that upcoming patents in the field of inflammasome research will facilitate the development of new therapeutic interventions.