This article discusses the scientific rationale for the use of cytokine inhibitors, including ustekinumab, an inhibitor of the interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 pathways in psoriasis. Also addressed are the efficacy and safety data for this agent, as well as for several emerging therapies that target other cytokine pathways in psoriasis: the IL-17 inhibitors secukinumab, ixekizumab, and brodalumab,...

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory destructive disorder that affects the joints, muscles, and tendons accompanying various extra-articular manifestations. Traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) represent basic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Over last 20 years, biologic DMARDs (tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, interleukin-1 interleukin-6 T cell B inhibitors...

OBJECTIVE Activation of Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway by hyperglycemia and dislypidemia contributes to the progression of diabetic complications, including atherosclerosis. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins negatively regulate Janus kinase/STAT and have emerged as promising target for anti-inflammatory therapies. We investigated wh...

Recombinant human erythropoietin is widely used to treat anemia associated with cancer and with the myelosuppressive effects of chemotherapy, particularly platinum-based regimens. Erythropoietin is the principal regulator of erythroid cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Recently, the antiapoptotic and proliferative effects of erythropoietin on nonhematopoietic cells were also es...

Leptin is secreted by adipose tissue and regulates energy homeostasis, glucose and lipid metabolism, immune function, and other systems. The binding of leptin to its specific receptor activates various intracellular signaling pathways, including Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), insulin receptor substrate (IRS)/phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K...