New Antibody Shows Promise for Inflammation and Arthritis Treatment ProHealth.com November 7, 2001 HuMax-IL-15, a human antibody targeting the cytokine IL-15 (a regulatory substance produced by cells in the immune system) demonstrated the ability to effectively contain inflammation in recent pre-clinical studies. Data presented at the European Pediatrical Rheumatology Congress indicated HuMax-IL-15 was effective in neutralizing IL-15 activity in various cellular models, as well as in mice implanted with inflammatory tissue from rheumatoid arthritis patients. For example, HuMax-IL-15 inhibits T-cell reproduction and the generation of TNF-alpha, both of which play important roles in inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, inflammatory bowl disease, celiac disease and psoriasis. IL-15 is also involved in the development of new blood vessels, which can support both inflammation and cancer. "HuMax-IL-15 may be the first of a new generation of anti-inflammatory agents that work via a unique 3-pronged approach, stopping both mediators of inflammation and neovascularisation [excessive formation of blood vessels]” said Jan G.J. van de Winkel, Ph.D., Professor of Immunology, Utrecht University, and Chief Scientific Officer of Genmab the developer of the medication. IL-15 is an important disease target because it is an immune system signaling molecule. It appears early in the sequence of events that lead to inflammatory disease. IL-15 also causes the production of TNF-alpha, another cytokine that plays a pivotal role in inflammation and the recruitment of inflammatory T cells. These T cells in turn promote the production of more IL-15, thus perpetuating and escalating the cycle. In mice engrafted with inflamed RA joint tissue, IL-15 was shown to enhance T-cell movement into the inflamed tissue. Because RA is an autoimmune disease, there is a strong rationale to pursue immune system modulators as therapeutic entities. A new drug having anti-IL-15 properties could be expected to provide significant clinical benefit for patients afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. HuMax-IL-15, is designed to block the activity of IL-15. HuMax-IL-15 is currently being prepared for human clinical trials, which are expected to begin later this year.

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