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Recent advances in our understanding of the role of cytokine networks in inflammatory processes have led to the development of novel biological agents for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. At the present time, significant efforts are focused on characterizing the complex signal transduction cascades that are activated by these cytokines and, in turn, regulate their expression. The transcription factor NF-κB is a pivotal regulator of the inducible expression of key proinflammatory mediators, and activated NF-κB has been observed in several debilitating inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In light of its central role in inflammation, the identification of inhibitors of NF-κB should provide novel therapeutics for the treatment of chronic joint disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]