Pharmacology · Class
Interleukin inhibitors !
Biologics that block one interleukin (IL-1, IL-6, IL-12/23 or IL-17) or its receptor, chosen according to the cytokine that drives each disease.
Updated 2026-11-01
What they are
Each drug neutralises one cytokine pathway: anakinra blocks the IL-1 receptor (autoinflammatory syndromes, rheumatoid arthritis), tocilizumab the IL-6 receptor (rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, cytokine release syndrome), ustekinumab the p40 subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23 (psoriasis, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis) and secukinumab IL-17A (psoriasis and spondyloarthritis).
Mechanism of action
IL-1 and IL-6 drive fever, the acute-phase response and joint inflammation; IL-12 and IL-23 steer T helper cells towards Th1 and Th17 profiles, and IL-17 from Th17 cells recruits neutrophils into skin, joints and entheses. Blocking the right cytokine or its receptor quiets the disease while leaving other immune pathways working.
Target: Interleukins IL-1, IL-6, IL-12/IL-23 and IL-17A, or their receptors
Drugs in this class
- AnakinraA copy of the body's own IL-1 blocker, injected under the skin every day, for rheumatoid arthritis and inherited…Interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1)
- TocilizumabAn antibody against the IL-6 receptor, given by infusion or injection, for rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis…Interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), soluble and membrane-bound
- UstekinumabAn antibody against p40, the piece shared by IL-12 and IL-23, for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn disease and…p40 subunit shared by interleukin-12 and interleukin-23
- SecukinumabA human antibody against IL-17A for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It can worsen Crohn…Interleukin-17A (IL-17A)
Others in the class
- canakinumab
- sarilumab
- ixekizumab
- guselkumab
- risankizumab
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which interleukin subunit does ustekinumab target, and why does that block two cytokines?
p40, which is part of both IL-12 and IL-23.
Which class of interleukin inhibitor can worsen Crohn disease?
IL-17 inhibitors such as secukinumab.
Which interleukin inhibitor is used for cytokine release syndrome?
Tocilizumab, which blocks the IL-6 receptor.
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed., ch. 39 (McGraw Hill, 2023); Altered Immunocompetence | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2024); Tocilizumab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.