Cytokines have become established as key mediators of the signs and
symptoms of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, dermatitis, asthma
and multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, they are involved in the cascade of
events leading to cardiovascular shock and are major regulators of the
function of immune cells.
This book reviews recent advances in the development of new
anti-inflammatory drugs. It addresses different therapeutic intervention
possibilities for new drugs, such as the cellular source of cytokines,
specific receptors which induce cytokine synthesis, intracellular
regulators of cytokine gene induction and expression, secretion and
activation of cytokines, cytokine receptors and signalling pathways from
these receptors. Accordingly, experts were drawn from different
backgrounds including academic research institutes, the pharmaceutical
industry and clinical pharmacology. In each area, the opportunities for
drug development are highlighted and, where possible, clinical data is
reviewed.