title: Anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, tocilizumab, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
abstract: Interleukin (IL)-6 is a cytokine with multiple biological activities. It contributes to host defense against pathogens, whereas accelerated production of IL-6 plays a significant pathological role in various diseases. Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of tocilizumab, a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Castleman's disease or juvenile idiopathic arthritis, leading to approval of this innovative drug for the treatment of these diseases. Since IL-6 has been demonstrated to play a significant role in the development of various other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, tocilizumab can be expected to become a novel drug for such diseases as well.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Rheumatic Diseases, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Narazaki
authors.forename: Tadamitsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; C502936:tocilizumab