Abstract

Autoimmune disorders, characterized by the immune system’s aberrant attack on self-tissues, have traditionally been treated with broad-spectrum immunosuppressants. Recent research into cytokine pathways has unveiled novel targets for more specific and effective therapies. This review explores emerging cytokine pathways involved in autoimmune diseases, including Interleukin-17 (IL-17), Interleukin-23 (IL-23), Type I Interferons (IFN), and Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interleukin-13 (IL-13). The IL-17 and IL-23 pathways are crucial in conditions such as psoriasis and Crohn’s disease, while the Type I IFN pathway is significant in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). IL-4 and IL-13 play roles in asthma and fibrosis. Targeted biologic agents disrupting these pathways have shown promise in clinical trials, offering new avenues for treatment. This review highlights the potential of these cytokine-targeted therapies to improve autoimmune disorder management and outlines future research directions for optimizing treatment strategies