Experimental drugs for treatment of autoimmune myocarditis

Objective: To review the experimental drugs for the treatment of autoimmune myocarditis. Data sources: The literatures published in English about different kinds of experimental drugs based on different therapeutic mechanisms for the treatment of autoimmune myocarditis were obtained from PubMed from 2002 to 2013. Study selection: Original articles regarding the experimental drugs for treatment of autoimmune myocarditis were selected. Results: This study summarized the effects of the experimental drugs for the treatment of autoimmune myocarditis, such as immunomodulators and immunosuppressants, antibiotics, Chinese medicinal herbs, cardiovascular diseases treatment drugs, etc. These drugs can significantly attenuate autoimmune myocarditis-induced inflammation and fibrosis, alleviate autoimmune myocarditis-triggered overt lymphocyte proliferation, and meanwhile reduce Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-2) and increase Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). Conclusion: This study summarized recent advances in autoimmune myocarditis treatment and further proposes that traditional Chinese medicine and immune regulators will play important roles in the future.