Anakinra: interleukin-1 receptor antagonist therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.

(1) Anakinra is an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), which blocks interleukin-1 (IL-1), a protein involved in the inflammation and the joint destruction associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). (2) The manufacturer's submission for drug approval is currently under review by Health Canada and the FDA. (3) In randomized controlled trials, patients with severe RA were treated with anakinra. Significant improvement was demonstrated in several clinical, radiologic and health-related quality of life measures in patients treated with anakinra versus placebo. (4) Minimal adverse effects, mainly injection site reactions, were reported.