Will treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with an IL-6R inhibitor help facilitate the 'age of remission'?
BACKGROUND
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, systemic disease, which negatively influences patients' quality of life, work productivity and longevity. Current therapies include traditional and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Although these are effective for many, a substantial proportion of patients fail to respond to these agents, suffer from loss of efficacy and/or experience unpleasant side effects, highlighting the need for alternatives.


OBJECTIVE
To address how a greater proportion of RA patients may potentially achieve disease remission, we reviewed data on IL-6 as a therapeutic target.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-6 is an important driver of RA pathogenesis, mediating both articular and systemic effects of the disease. Tocilizumab, an inhibitor of the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), is beneficial in treating RA in a variety of clinical contexts. Evidence to date supports the use of tocilizumab, as monotherapy or combination therapy, as an effective approach to the treatment of RA. Here, we discuss key efficacy and safety data from the recently published Phase III trials.
Moots
Robert J
RJ
School of Clinical Sciences at University of Liverpool, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK. rjmoots@liv.ac.uk
Ostör
Andrew Jk
AJ
Isaacs
John D
JD
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; C502936:tocilizumab