| abstract |
Cytokine antagonists for use in localized clinical disorders are provided for the treatment and prevention of damage to the optic nerve, other cranial nerves, spinal cord, nerve roots, peripheral nerves or muscles caused by any one of the following: a herniated nucleus pulposus, osteoarthritis, other forms of arthritis, disorders of bone, disease, or trauma. The cytokine antagonists are used to treat these disorders by local administration. These cytokine antagonists include antagonists to tumor necrosis factor; interleukin- 1 ; interleukin- 6 ; and interleukin- 8. |