Method to Predict Severity of Inflammatory Central Nervous System Attacks by Detection of Interleukin-6 Levels
The present invention relates to soluble immune derangements in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with autoimmune, inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). Specifically, IL-6 is selectively and dramatically elevated in the CSF of these patients. IL-6 levels are directly correlated with markers of tissue injury and sustained clinical disability. The present invention relates to specific therapeutic targets in the management of CNS autoimmune conditions, including therapeutic strategies that reduce production of or response to IL-6, block JAK, STAT3, iNOS or PARP. Description (Set) Autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as multiple sclerosis are typified by recurrent acute attacks that can result in progressive, persistent disabilities. Fast, accurate diagnostic methods are critical to determine how aggressively to treat an attack and reduce neurological damage. To date, there are no clinical measures that can strongly predict the severity and lasting effects of an acute autoimmune attack on the CNS. Current prognostics are difficult to quantify, require specialized equipment and cannot accurately identify at risk patients. JHU scientists have discovered a high correlation between levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in cerebral spinal fluid and development of sustained disability in patients with neuroinflammatory disorders. JHU scientists have also uncovered therapeutic targets that are activated by IL-6 expression. Advantages:• IL-6 detection-based diagnostic assay indicates severity of an autoimmune attack to permit customized therapeutic strategies to reduce neurological damage to patient and maintain mobility.
• Correlation between IL-6 level and neurological damage is higher than correlation for other known markers of CNS autoimmune disability and allows definitive quantification of results for more accurate diagnosis.
• Continued assessment of IL-6 levels in patient fluids can be used to monitor response to therapeutic drugs in order to provide the most appropriate treatment and improve patient quality of life. Proposed Use (Set) This discovery can be used in diagnostic and prognostic methods for CNS autoimmune disease and diagnostic kits. This discovery could also be employed to develop screening assays for therapeutic agents
Inventor(s): Kerr, Douglas
Type of Offer: Licensing
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