Inflammation

The body's first natural response to wounds and infections is the inflammatory response. However, in diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, the body's immune system can be activated without stimulus or infection, attacking its own healthy tissues. And in other situations such as transplantation, it becomes necessary to suppress the immune system to ensure that the body does not attack the new organ as a foreign invader. Many current therapies leave transplant patients in a vulnerable position due to their many side effects.

Our researchers are working on medicines that will make this less of a balancing act, reducing the risk of side effects and making them more manageable. Some of our most important candidates are derived from our leading-edge work in identifying kinases - enzymes that "switch on" other enzymes. To date, 214 kinases have been implicated in various diseases.

Another active area of pursuit is osteoarthritis, often called "wear and tear" arthritis, although the disease actually reflects a much more dynamic process of a change in the balance of joint cartilage destruction and healing that goes on continuously. This form of arthritis is very common-almost everybody will suffer osteoarthritis in some joint or other as they age.

Inflammatory Conditions

Indications for medicines currently in phases of development, from Phase 1 through recent approval:

• Osteoarthritis – Deterioration of the cartilage in the joints between bones, causing pain, stiffness, and loss of function.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis – Inflammation of the lining of the joints, particularly of the hands and feet, causing swelling, pain, stiffness, and joint destruction.
• Transplant Rejection – Prevention of the body's immune response and attack on a donor organ.

If you do not have Adobe® Reader, download it here. It is available without charge from Adobe®. This link is provided as a convenience. Pfizer is not responsible for the content of this linked page.