A METHOD OF TREATMENT AND PROPHYLAXIS

摘要

The present invention relates generally to a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease condition, agents useful in such treatments and an animal model useful in screening and evaluating potentially efficacious therapeutic agents. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a local or systemic autoimmun e condition such as but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis or a related condition. The method of the present invention is predicated in part on the determination that the onset and/or severity of particular disease condition s is exacerbated or otherwise facilitated by certain growth factors or cytokines. Temporary or sustained reduction in the levels of these growth factors or cytokines is shown to reduce the onset and/or severity and/or to otherwise ameliorate the conditions of the disease conditions.