Treating the septic shock syndrome with antibodies that block onlyendotoxin has its limitations. Othertargetsfor treatingseptic shockinclude neutralizing antibodies to the complement fragment C5a, platelet-activating factor antagonists, and blockade ofendothelial cellleukocyte adhesion molecules. Specific blockade of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-l (IL-l) or tumornecrosis factor (TNF) reduces the morbidity and mortality associated with septicshock. Moreover, blocking IL-l and TNFlikely has usesin treating diseases other than septic shock. Use of neutralizing antibodies to TNF or to IL-l receptors have reduced the consequences of infection and inflammation, including lethaloutcomes in animalmodels. TheIL-l receptor antagonist, a natural-occurring cytokine, blocks shock and death due to Escherichia coli and ameliorates a variety ofinflammatory diseases. Soluble TNFand IL-l surface receptors, which bindtheirrespective cytokines, alsoameliorate disease processes. Currentclinical trialsareevaluating the safety and efficacy of these anticytokine therapies either alone or together.