Targeting the Interleukin-1β/Interleukin-6/C-reactive Protein Pathway in Clinical Medicine - A Road Map to Clinical Trial Design

The Interleukin-1β (IL-1β)/Interleukin-6 (IL-6)/C-reactive protein (CRP) pathway has emerged as a pivotal target in the development of therapeutic strategies for various inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. This pathway’s role in mediating inflammation and its downstream effects on disease progression makes it a prime candidate for intervention. Recent advancements in drug design have focused on creating specific inhibitors for this pathway and recent advances in medical devices allow to deplete molecules of these pathways, promising better therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes.

This Research Topic aims to bring together cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that explore the intricacies of targeting the IL-1β/IL-6/CRP pathway. Our goal is to provide a detailed roadmap for the design of clinical trials that can accurately and effectively evaluate these innovative therapies.

We accept all types of articles that delve into various aspects of the IL-1β/IL-6/CRP pathway and its inhibition.

The scope of this Research Topic includes, but is not limited to:

1. Pathway Mechanisms and Disease Associations:
o Detailed studies on the biological mechanisms of the IL-1β/IL-6/CRP pathway.
o Exploration of the pathway’s role in inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases.


2. Drug as well as Medical Device Development and Mechanistic Insights:
o Research on the development of specific inhibitors or medical devices targeting the IL-1β/IL-6/CRP pathway.
o Mechanistic studies on how these inhibitors or medical devices modulate the pathway and their therapeutic potential.

3. Clinical Trial Design and Implementation:
o Innovative clinical trial designs that maximize clarity and therapeutic outcomes.
o Strategies for patient stratification and endpoint selection in trials targeting this pathway.

4. Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety Profiles:
o Evaluation of the efficacy and safety profiles of existing and novel inhibitors as well as medical devices.
o Long-term outcomes and potential adverse effects of pathway inhibition/modulation.

5. Case Studies and Clinical Applications:
o Case studies showcasing the clinical application of IL-1β/IL-6/CRP inhibitors or modulators.
o Real-world data on the impact of pathway-targeted therapies in clinical practice.

6. Future Directions and Emerging Therapies:
o Perspectives on the future of targeting the IL-1β/IL-6/CRP pathway.
o Emerging therapies and new directions in pathway inhibition or modulation research.

The primary aim of this Research Topic is to consolidate current knowledge and provide a comprehensive guide to designing and implementing clinical trials targeting the IL-1β/IL-6/CRP pathway. By collating high-quality research and expert insights, we hope to pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches that can significantly improve patient care and outcomes in inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: Interleukin-1b (IL-1b), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive Protein (CRP), Inflammatory Pathways, Cardiovascular Diseases, Drug Development, Clinical Trial Design, Therapeutic Efficacy, Inhibitors, Patient Stratification

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.