Cytokines in disease

Author(s): D. Thompson

Description

In recent years huge advances have been made in the understanding

of the processes involved in chronic (pathological) inflammation.

There is now unequivocal evidence showing that cytokines play

a major role in the pathophysiology of inflammation. The greater

understanding of the processes involved has enabled the re-thinking

of the strategies used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory

disease so that specific mediators of the processes can now

be targeted. The role of cytokines in three of the major chronic

inflammatory diseases is reviewed and new therapeutic strategies

outlined.