Rilonacept and canakinumab
Rilonacept and canakinumab
Two new orphan medicines, rilonacept (Rilonacept Regeneron®) and canakinumab (Ilaris®) are indicated for the treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS). CAPS occur in a group of rare, inherited, inflammatory diseases where patients have a mutation in the NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine rich family, pyrin domain containing-3) gene encoding for cryopyrin, which is a regulator in the acute immune reaction. Both familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS) belong to the CAPS group. Additionally, canakinumab may be used to treat other CAPS such as neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID) and familial cold urticaria (FCU). The indications for both drugs might be extended in future. Currently, these two drugs are being evaluated in more common diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
The pathophysiology underlying CAPS is characterized by overstimulation of the regulatory system of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The synthesis and release of IL-1β requires two distinct signals which are normally initiated by damage-associated molecular patterns (“DAMPs”), either pathogen-associated molecular patterns (“PAMPs”), e.g. bacterial RNA or lipopolysaccharides, or endogenous irritants e.g. uric acid or heat shock proteins. One signal leads to synthesis of pro-IL-1β and components of the protein complex inflammasome NLRP3/cryopyrin. A second signal leads to the assembly of the inflammasome and activation of caspase-1. Active IL-1β is released from pro-IL-1β by caspase-1 (see below).
In order to exert its pro-inflammatory actions, IL-1β must bind two receptors, interleukin 1 receptor (IL-1-R1) and an accessory protein (IL-1-RAcP). These receptors form a complex at the membrane necessary for signal transduction.
In general, the adverse effects of rilonacept and canakinumab are similar and have been mild. By blocking IL-1 actions, either of these drugs could interfere with the immune response. The most common adverse effects (>10% of treated patients) are reactions at the injection site, inflammation of the upper respiratory tract or sinuses, and headache. CAPS patients suffering from severe, active infection should not be treated with either rilonacept or canakinumab.
EPAR of rilonacept.
EPAR of canakinumab.
