| Background | Tocilizumab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody to the IL-6 receptor that is used largely as therapy of refractory rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthritides. Tocilizumab blocks the action of IL-6, which is a key proinflammatory cytokine that mediates a wide spectrum of biologic activities including activation of T cells, differentiation of B cells, induction of acute phase reactants, proliferation of fibroblasts, and damage to cartilage and joints. IL-6 levels are elevated in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. In controlled trials and open label studies, tocilizumab therapy led to improvements in symptoms and laboratory abnormalities associated with several forms of inflammatory arthritis. Tocilizumab was approved for use in the United States in 2010 and current indications include rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis and both the polyarticular and systemic forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (formerly juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). Tocilizumab is considered a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and improves signs and symptoms of disease and decreases cartilage and tissue destruction. |
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