Abstract: Methods for treating medical conditions induced by interleukin-4 involve administering an IL-4 antagonist to a patient afflicted with such a condition. Suitable IL-4 antagonists include, but are not limited to, IL-4 receptors (such as a soluble human IL-4 receptor), antibodies that bind IL-4, antibodies that bind IL-4R, IL-4 muteins that bind to IL-4R but do not induce a biological response, molecules that inhibit IL-4-induced signal transduction, and other compounds that inhibit a biological effect that results from the binding of IL-4 to a cell surface IL-4R. Particular antibodies provided herein include human monoclonal antibodies generated by procedures involving immunization of transgenic mice. Such human antibodies may be raised against human IL-4 receptor. Certain of the antibodies inhibit both IL-4-induced and IL-13-induced biological activities.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions by administering agents that hinder the CD30/CD30L interaction, combination treatments, and methods of treating conditions resistant to treatment with TNF? inhibitors by administering agents that inhibit signal transduction by CD30 or IL-1. Included also are treatments involving concurrently administering agents that block the CD30/CD30L interaction and agents that antagonize the IL-4/IL-4R interaction. Additionally provided is an animal model for screening candidate agents for their efficacy in treating conditions that are resistant to treatment with TNF? inhibitors.