A phase 2 clinical trial found that rilonacept, an inhibitor of the protein interleukin-1, greatly reduced acute gout flares that arise when initiating uric acid-lowering therapy.

Results of the trial targeted therapy in prevention of gout flares show rilonacept to be generally well tolerated, with no serious infections or treatment related serious adverse events reported.

Full findings are published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.