Clinical Indications

IL-18 has clinical indications as a diagnostic and monitoring marker for autoinflammatory diseases like systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and adult-onset Still's disease. It is also being investigated as a therapeutic target for a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including certain cancers, psoriasis, and chronic pain, though more research is needed. 

• Autoinflammatory diseases: Elevated IL-18 levels are seen in diseases such as systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, adult-onset Still's disease, pyogenic sterile arthritis, and PAPA syndrome, making it a useful marker for diagnosis and monitoring disease activity.
• Cancer: IL-18 is a potential marker for prognosis in various cancers, and its inhibition is being explored as a therapeutic strategy, either alone or in combination with other treatments. For example, decoy-resistant IL-18 is being studied as a potential anti-cancer agent.
• Inflammatory and autoimmune diseases: IL-18 plays a role in conditions like psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and inflammatory bowel disease. Research is ongoing to determine its role as a therapeutic target in these diseases.
• Chronic pain: Elevated levels of IL-18 have been found in spinal cord tissue following peripheral nerve injury in animal models, suggesting a potential role in chronic neuropathic pain.
• Metabolic diseases: High circulating IL-18 levels are associated with type 2 diabetes and the risk of developing it.
• Cardiovascular diseases: IL-18 is implicated in atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, with cholesterol crystals in atherosclerotic lesions potentially triggering its release.