Clinical advancements of biologic agents in the treatment of Kawasaki disease based on its pathogenesis

Kawasaki disease (KD), also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an acute febrile systemic vasculitis predominantly affecting children under the age of 5 years. The hallmark of KD is systemic vasculitis, which can lead to coronary artery complications if not promptly treated. Approximately 15%–20% of untreated cases develop coronary artery aneurysms, coronary artery stenosis, or thrombosis, posing significant risks to pediatric health and survival. In recent years, the incidence of KD has shown an upward trend. While intravenous immunoglobulin in combination with aspirin remains the standard first-line therapy for acute KD, some patients exhibit resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin or progress to refractory KD. The rapid advancement of modern biomedicine has led to increased interest in biological agents for KD treatment, yielding promising outcomes.