Tocilizumab for rheumatoid arthritis.
Tocilizumab (RoActemra-Roche) is a new biological agent available in the UK for the treatment of adults with rheumatoid arthritis.1 Unlike currently available biological agents, the drug targets the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). Here, we consider the place of tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis and whether it offers any advantages over other biological agents.
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D000075202:Contraindications; D016527:Drug Costs; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; C502936:tocilizumab