Platelet-Derived Growth Factor as a Therapeutic Target for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases
Authors
Hideto Kameda
Division of Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan.
Miyuki Suzuki
Division of Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan.
Tsutomu Takeuchi
Division of Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan.
Some systemic rheumatic diseases and disorders, especially fibrotic and vascular disorders, are often refractory to corticosteroid therapy. Recently, ever accumulating evidence suggests that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is involved in those refractory diseases. Imatinib mesylate inhibits the activation of PDGF receptor as well as c-Abl, Bcr-Abl and c-Kit tyrosine kinases. It has therefore been widely used for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Imatinib effectively suppresses the activation and proliferation of fibroblasts, mesangial cells and smooth muscle cells both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, it has recently been reported that some patients with rheumatoid arthritis or idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension demonstrated a good clinical response to imatinib therapy. Imatinib may therefore overcome the limitations of current therapeutic strategy with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents for refractory diseases, such as systemic sclerosis and interstitial lung diseases, without clinical intolerability.
Kameda, H., Suzuki, M., & Takeuchi, T. (2007). Platelet-Derived Growth Factor as a Therapeutic Target for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases. Drug Target Insights, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.33393/dti.2007.1304