Tocilizumab: blockade of interleukin-6 signaling pathway as a therapeutic strategy for inflammatory disorders.
Interleukin (IL)-6 contributes to a myriad of physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. Among its many physiologic functions, IL-6 plays an active role in immunology, inflammatory responses, bone metabolism, arthritis and neoplasia. Overproduction of IL-6 has been implicated in the disease pathology of several inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, Castleman's disease, Crohn's disease and systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Interception of the IL-6 signaling pathway could thus represent a new treatment option for these diseases, given their refractory status to conventional therapy. Clinical studies with tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, have been undertaken to explore this option. Current short-term results indicate that tocilizumab dramatically improves disease activity and is well tolerated. Further long-term safety and efficacy studies are needed to confirm the therapeutic benefit of this antibody in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
Paul-Pletzer
Kalanethee
K
Medical Information Department, Prous Science, Barcelona, Spain. journals@prous.com
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005871:Castleman Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; C502936:tocilizumab