THERAPEUTIC METHODS AND COMPOUNDS

摘要

The invention provides a method of treatment of a chronic inflammatory disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis) in a patient, the method comprising the administration to the patient of a compound that selectively inhibits Tck cells. Preferably, said compound selectively inhibits Tck cell-induced release of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines from monocytes. Advantageously, said compound inhibits NF- kappa B. Conveniently, said compound activates PI3 kinase. The invention further provides a method of identifying a compound with efficacy in the treatment of a chronic inflammatory disease comprising the step of testing said compound for an ability to selectively inhibit Tck cells. Preferably, said method of identifying a compound with efficacy in the treatment of a chronic inflammatory disease comprises the step of testing said compound for an ability to selectively inhibit Tck cell-induced release of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines from monocytes. Conveniently, the pro-inflammatory cytokine is tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha ). The invention further provides compounds identifiable or identified by said methods and the use of said compounds in medicine. Additionally, the invention provides an antibody-like molecule with specificity for Tck cells, and compounds comprising said antibody-like molecule and a cytotoxic moiety.