Anti-cytokine vaccination: a new biotherapy of autoimmunity?

Abstract

Anti-cytokine vaccination is an innovative strategy of targeted, active immunotherapy with potential application in autoimmune diseases. The principle is to design molecules capable of triggering a humoral immune response versus a cytokine with a recognized pathogenic role in a given disease. The most used vaccination approach is based on self-protein coupled to a carrier. This strategy proved particular efficacy in models of TNF-α-dependent diseases, and promising results come from recent clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. The benefit/risk ratio and long term safety of anti-cytokine vaccination need to be determined to further develop this therapeutic strategy.