Uneventful splenectomy and cholecystectomy in a patient treated with anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody therapy.
BACKGROUND
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates various aspects of the immune responses, acute phase reactions, and hematopoiesis. In rodent models, IL-6 has been suggested to be one of the essential mediators for optimal acute phase responses to infection and tissue damage. However, in humans, the roles of IL-6 in acute phase responses after surgery remain poorly understood.


METHODS
We present the first case report of successful splenectomy and cholecystectomy in a severe autoimmune-associated hemolytic anemia patient during treatment with a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody.


CONCLUSIONS
This unique case suggests that IL-6 is not an essential cytokine to safely perform surgical intervention and to prevent postoperative complications and that surgical intervention may not be contraindicated but can be selected as a therapeutic modality in patients treated with anti-IL-6 receptor antibody therapy.
Ishizaki
Morihiko
M
Department of Surgery, Kitano Hospital, Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute, Osaka, Japan.
Sasada
Tetsuro
T
Kunitomi
Akane
A
Konaka
Yoshiteru
Y
Yagita
Masato
M
Gunji
Shutaro
S
Kanai
Michiyuki
M
Nishimoto
Norihiro
N
Takabayashi
Arimichi
A
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D042882:Gallstones / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013156:Splenectomy; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000601:surgery*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C508603:IL6R protein, human; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; C502936:tocilizumab
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