AVTX-007 is a fully human anti-interleukin (IL)-18 monoclonal antibody with the potential to address multiple immune-mediated diseases like Still’s disease.
IL-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine with pleiotropic and immunoregulatory effects. IL-18 is characterized by its ability to induce production of interferon-gamma (IFN-g) and other inflammatory cytokines from natural killer (NK) and T helper 1 (Th1) cells in synergy with IL-12. It has been shown to play a critical role in various autoinflammatory diseases, such as Still’s disease.
Still’s disease is a rare systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown cause. Affected individuals may develop episodes of high, spiking fevers, a pink or salmon colored rash, joint pain, muscle pain, sore throat, and other symptoms associated with systemic inflammatory disease.
Elevated levels of IL-18 have been shown to be correlated with disease activity in patients with active Still’s disease.
Serum IL-18 Significantly Elevated in AOSD