The present invention relates generally to a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease condition, agents useful in such treatments and an animal model useful in screening and evaluating potentially efficacious therapeutic agents. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a local or systemic autoimmune condition such as but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis or a related condition. The method of the present invention is predicted in part on the determination that the onset and/or severity of particular disease conditions is exacerbated or otherwise facilitated by certain growth factors or cytokines. Temporary or sustained reduction in the levels of these growth factors or cytokines is shown to reduce the onset and/or severity and/or to otherwise ameliorate the conditions of the disease conditions.