Authors: Joshi, Lavnish; Hamour, Sally; Salama, Alan D.; Pusey, Charles D.; Lightman, Sue; Taylor, Simon R.J.

Source: Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy), Volume 8, Number 1, March 2009 , pp. 70-79(10)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a multisystem small-vessel vasculitis which is characterised by granulomatous inflammation. Respiratory tract involvement is most commonly seen, affecting up to 85% of patients, closely followed by the renal system in up to 75% of patients; ocular involvement in WG is estimated to occur in 50-60% of patients. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the renal and ocular manifestations of WG and discuss the rationale behind the therapeutic approach. In particular, we will focus on how understanding the disease processes in both of these organs has led to more targeted therapy. The mechanism of action of the various immunosuppressive medications in both systemic and ocular inflammation and the evidence available for their use will also be discussed.

Keywords: Wegener's granulomatosis; systemic vasculitis; ocular inflammation; immunosuppression

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152809787582552

Publication date: 2009-03-01

More about this publication?

• Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets aims to cover all the latest and outstanding developments on the medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, genomics and biochemistry of contemporary molecular targets involved in inflammation and allergy e.g. disease specific proteins, receptors, enzymes, genes. Each issue of the journal contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of current topics on drug targets involved in inflammation and allergy. As the discovery, identification, characterization and validation of novel human drug targets for anti-inflammation and allergy drug discovery continues to grow, this journal has become essential reading for all pharmaceutical scientists involved in drug discovery and development.

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