Methods of using il-1 antagonists to treat familial mediterranean fever (fmf)

Abstract

Methods of treating, inhibiting, or ameliorating Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) by administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an interleukin 1 (IL-1) antagonist, are provided. The IL-1 antagonist can be an antibody or derivative thereof, which is capable of blocking or inhibiting the biological action of IL-1, thereby treating, inhibiting or ameliorating FMF. Also provided are methods of treating, inhibiting, or ameliorating FMF by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an IL-1 antagonist in combination with additional therapeutic agents, including IL-1-specific fusion proteins, TNF inhibitors, NSAIDs, steroids, and the like.

1 . A method of treating, inhibiting, or ameliorating familial mediterranean fever (FMF) in a subject, comprising administering to the subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an interleukin 1 (IL-1) antagonist. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the IL-1 antagonist is an antibody or derivative thereof which is capable of blocking or inhibiting the biological action of IL-1, thereby treating, inhibiting or ameliorating FMF. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody or derivative thereof binds IL-1. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody or derivative thereof is administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising one or more additional therapeutic agents selected from the group consisting of an IL-1-specific fusion protein, etanercept (Enbrel®, Amgen), infliximab (Remicade®, Centocor), Humira® (Abbott), thalidomide, a steroid, anakinra (Kinaret®, Amgen), colchicine, IL-18BP or a derivative, an IL-18-binding fusion protein, anti-IL-18, anti-IL-18R1, anti-IL-18Racp, aspirin, prednisolone, methotrexate, cyclosporine A, caspase-1, p38, IKK1/2, CTLA-41 g, anti-IL-6 and anti-IL6Ra. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , the additional therapeutic agent is an IL-1-specific fusion protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the antibody or derivative thereof and the IL-1-specific fusion protein are administered simultaneously. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the antibody or derivative thereof and the IL-1-specific fusion protein are administered sequentially. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the antibody or derivative thereof and one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered simultaneously. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the antibody or derivative thereof and one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered sequentially. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human.