Abstract: Methods of treatment and prevention of diseases associated with release of eutrophil elastase and IL-8 by administration of TFPI, and analogs of TFPI are disclosed. Methods of determining efficacy of treatment with TFPI, patient's responsiveness to treatment with TFPI and the ultimate determination of patient prognosis are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a class of interleukin-6 (IL-6) muteins which act as IL-6 receptor antagonists, thereby inhibiting the normal function of naturally-occurring IL-6. These IL-6 receptor antagonism are preferably IL-6 molecules containing one or more mutations in the Site II region comprising amino acids 154-163. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising IL-6 receptor antagonists with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention further provides methods for treating IL-6 related diseases such as sepsis and multiple myeloma, the methods comprising administering to a patient an IL-6 receptor antagonist.