Ilaris (canakinumab) is a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody designed to bind selectively to IL‑1β and block its interaction with IL‑1 receptors, thereby dampening inflammatory pathways driven by this cytokine Administered as a subcutaneous injection (typically 150 mg or weight-based dosing), it has a half-life of approximately 26 days with peak blood concentrations reached around one week post-injection

Approved Uses Include:

• Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS): Muckle-Wells syndrome, Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID/CINCA), familial cold urticaria

• Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS)

• Hyperimmunoglobulin D Syndrome (HIDS)/Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (MKD)

• Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF)

• Still’s Disease: Adult-Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD) and Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) in patients aged ≥ 2 years

• Gout Flares: For adults with frequent attacks who do not respond to or cannot tolerate NSAIDs, colchicine, or steroids

Mechanism & Benefits:
Ilaris intercepts IL‑1β, a key inflammatory mediator, reducing symptoms like fever, joint pain, rashes, fatigue, and systemic inflammation. Clinical trials show rapid improvement—typically within 7 days—with over 70% of CAPS patients responding fully by this time and 97% by eight weeks

Administration & Safety Profile:

• Given under the skin by a healthcare provider every 4–8 weeks, depending on indication

• Common side effects include upper respiratory infections, injection-site reactions, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and sometimes vertigo 

• Serious risks include increased susceptibility to infections (including TB) and rare hypersensitivity events. Live vaccines are contraindicated during treatment, and TB screening is required before starting therapy

Pharmacokinetics & Efficacy Monitoring:

• Peak serum levels occur ~7 days post-dose; half‑life ~26 days; bioavailability ~66%

• Biomarkers like C‑reactive protein (CRP) and Serum Amyloid A (SAA) typically normalise within days of treatment