Rilonacept is an interleukin-1 (IL-1) blocker used to treat inflammatory conditions.
Rilonacept is a fusion protein that acts as an IL-1 trap, binding to and neutralizing IL-1α and IL-1β, which are pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in various autoinflammatory diseases.
Brand name: Arcalyst
Approved uses: Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS), including Familial Cold
Autoinflammatory Syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS)
Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA)
Recurrent pericarditis
It blocks IL-1 signaling by binding to IL-1 before it can attach to cell surface receptors, thereby reducing inflammation.
Given as a subcutaneous injection, typically weekly after an initial loading dose.
Common side effects: Injection site reactions Upper respiratory infections Increased risk of infections as it suppresses part of the immune system. Headache
Patients should be screened for tuberculosis before starting treatment
Live vaccines should generally be avoided during treatment
It is not a first-line treatment for common conditions but rather for specific rare inflammatory diseases