INTERLEUKIN-6 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS

摘要

This invention provides a class of interleukin-6 (IL-6) muteins which act as IL-6 receptor antagonists, thereby inhibiting the normal function of naturally-occuring IL-6. These IL-6 receptor antagonists are preferably IL-6 molecules containing one or more mutations in the Site II region comprising amino acids 145-163. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising IL-6 receptor antagonists with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention further provides methods for treating IL-6 related diseases such as sepsis and multiple myeloma, the methods comprising administering to a patient an IL-6 receptor antagonist.