European journal of pharmacology
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Various cytokines play a critical role in pathophysiology of chronic inflammatory lung diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The increasing evidence of the involvement of these cytokines in the development of airway inflammation raises the possibility that these cytokines may become the novel promising therapeutic targets. Studies concerning the inhibition of interleukin (IL)-4 have been discontinued despite promising early results in asthma. ⋯ Chemokine CC3 receptor antagonists, which block eosinophil chemotaxis, are now in clinical development for asthma therapy. As many cytokines are involved in the pathophysiology of inflammatory lung diseases, inhibitory agents of the synthesis of multiple cytokines may be more useful tools. Several such agents are now in clinical development.