Sulphonylureas as Adjunct Therapeutic Agents in the Treatment of Autoimmune Conditions: A Narrative Review

Title
Sulphonylureas as Adjunct Therapeutic Agents in the Treatment of Autoimmune Conditions: A Narrative Review
Publication Date
2025-08
Author(s)
Elford, Jasen
O'Reilly, Robert J
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5000-1920
Email: roreill6@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:roreill6
Babey, Anna-Marie
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3454-5204
Email: ababey@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:ababey
Mohamed Rafeek, Rukshan Ahamed
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7190-9666
Email: rmohame3@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:rmohame3
Ketheesan, Natkunam
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4870-706X
Email: nkethees@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:nkethees
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1002%2Fprp2.70155
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/71209
Abstract

A rapid and cost-effective arm of the drug discovery and development process is finding new uses for existing drugs. Initially used as antibacterial agents, sulphonylureas were repurposed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes due to their hypoglycemic side effects. Their primary mechanism of action is mediated by binding to sulphonylurea receptors (SUR), which are atypical adenosine triphosphate binding cassette transporters in pancreatic beta cells. This interaction inhibits ATP-sensitive potassium channels to promote insulin release. Off-target actions of sulphonylureas identified in recent studies have demonstrated a range of anti-inflammatory properties mediated by modulation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 inflammasomes. Inflammasomes are cytosolic protein complexes that assemble in response to infection or stress-associated stimuli, activating inflammatory responses, and are the primary source of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Sulphonylureas and their derivatives have been shown to inhibit various stages of inflammasome activation, leading to the reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators, including IL-1β and IL-18. Recent evidence demonstrates that these agents reduced inflammatory responses, disease severity, and progression in various preclinical autoimmune and inflammatory models. In this narrative review, we consider the complexity of autoimmune conditions and the limited treatment options, and highlight the potential value of repurposing sulphonylureas and their derivatives as adjunct therapeutics for autoimmune conditions.

Link
Citation
Pharmacology Research & Perspectives, 13(4), p. 1-13
ISSN
2052-1707
Start page
1
End page
13
Rights
Attribution 4.0 International

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