Are researchers exploring new drugs and treatments for adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD)?

Are researchers exploring new drugs and treatments for adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD)?

Yes. A class of drugs being tested include biological response modifiers. These drugs block the activity of substances called cytokines secreted by the immune system. Cytokines are believed to play a role in AOSD.

A drug called anakinra interferes with interleukin-1, which is a protein that may be part of the cause of AOSD. Anakinra has been tested on some folks with AOSD and has brought dramatic improvement.

TNF-alpha antagonists are drugs that halt the activity of a protein that contributes to inflammation. They have been used for arthritis and are under study for AOSD.