Rilonacept for Recurrent Pericarditis

Recurrent pericarditis is a chronic condition that can be disabling. Our armamentarium has had limited success in treating patients with recurrent pericarditis, and there is a need for more effective, less toxic options. One potential treatment target is interleukin-1, which is thought to be involved in chronic pericarditis for many patients.

Now, investigators have conducted an industry-funded, multicenter, double-blind, randomized-withdrawal, phase III trial (RHAPSODY; NCT03737110) to test whether rilonacept — an interleukin-1α and interleukin-1β cytokine trap — can reduce the risk for recurrence in patients with acute symptoms of recurrent pericarditis (pericarditis pain) and systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein level, ≥1 mg/dL).

Duri…