Development of a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Interleukin-18 for the Prevention of Vein Graft Failure or Other Inflammatory Diseases

Overexpression of Interleukin-18 (IL18), a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine has been implicated in the early pathogenesis of intimal hyperplasia (IH), the leading cause of delayed graft failure. IL18 Binding Protein (IL18BP) is the natural inhibitor of IL18. Although recombinant IL-18BP is being clinically tested as a potential therapy to treat IL-18 associated conditions, a small molecule inhibitor of IL-18 may be clinically more amenable and feasible as a potential therapy to prevent IH development or other chronic inflammatory diseases.