Claims
- 1. A method of treating a patient afflicted with a medical disorder selected from the group consisting of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, the method comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of an IL-18 antagonist.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the IL-18 antagonist is soluble IL-18 receptor.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the soluble IL-18 receptor is a heterodimeric receptor.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the IL-18 antagonist is an antibody.
- 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the antibody immunospecifically recognizes a component of an IL-18 receptor.
- 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.
- 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the antibody is a single-chain antibody.
- 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the IL-18 antagonist is a soluble IL-18 binding protein.
- 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the IL-18 antagonist is administered one or more times per week.
- 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the IL-18 antagonist is administered by subcutaneous injection.
- 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the IL-18 antagonist is administered in combination with one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; analgesics; systemic steroids; antagonists of inflammatory cytokines; anti-inflammatory cytokines; antibodies against T cell surface proteins; anthralin; vitamin D3 and its analogs; oral retinoids; salicylic acid; methotrexate; cyclosporine; hydroxyurea; and sulfasalazine.
- 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the IL-18 antagonist is administered in combination with a TNF inhibitor.
- 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the TNF inhibitor is TNFR:Fc.
- 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the IL-18 antagonist is administered in combination with an antagonist to a cytokine selected from the group consisting of IFNγ, TGFβ, IL-6 and IL-8.
- 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the IL-18 antagonist and TNF inhibitor are administered in combination with an antagonist to a cytokine selected from the group consisting of IFNγ, TGFβ, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and IL-15.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/241,408, filed Oct. 18, 2000.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60241408 |
Oct 2000 |
US |