Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7 (MAP3K7), also known as TAK1, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP3K7 gene. This kinase has also been shown to regulate downstream cytokine expression such as TNF. Due to its regulation of TNF, TAK1 has become a novel target for the treatment of TNF mediated diseases such as auto immune disease ( Rheumatoid Arthritis, lupus, IBD) but also other cytokine mediated disorders such as chronic pain and cancer. With the advent of novel selective TAK1 inhibitors, groups have explored the therapeutic potential of TAK1 targeted therapies. One group has shown that the selective TAK1 inhibitor, Takinib developed at Duke University attenuated rheumatoid arthritis like pathology in the CIA mouse model of human inflammatory arthritis. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of TAK1 has shown to reduce inflammatory cytokines in particular TNF.