Current Drug Targets

Author(s): Manol Jovani, Gionata Fiorino and Silvio Danese

DOI: 10.2174/13894501113149990170

Anti-IL-13 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From the Bench to the Bedside

Page: [1444 - 1452] Pages: 9

  • * (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Much work has been done to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). IL-13 has emerged as an important cytokine effective in ulcerative colitis (UC) and fistulizing Crohn's disease (CD). IL-13 is a T helper 2-type cytokine with pleiotropic effects, involved in parasite expulsion, asthma pathophysiology, natural history of cancer and other human pathologies. Great interest has therefore been developed in inhibiting its function as a therapeutic intervention in these diseases.

The multifunctional properties of IL-13, with particular emphasis on its role in both CD and UC, as well as current developing pharmacologic agents inhibiting the IL-13 signaling pathway have been reviewed. Anti-IL-13 agents seem to be promising therapeutic strategies for the future management of IBD and other human diseases.

Keywords: Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, interleukin-13, lebrikizumab, pleiotropic, tralokinumab, ulcerative colitis.