title: The role of  tocilizumab  in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The introduction of biological treatments has improved the outlook for patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. There are now a range of different agents, targeting various pathways involved in the inflammatory process. Tocilizumab , a fully humanised anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody is licensed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article reviews and appraises the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis, as identified in PubMed and Embase searches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical trial data suggest that tocilizumab has similar efficacy both clinically and in reducing structural progression to that seen with the TNF inhibitors. Patients who might be particularly suitable for tocilizumab are those who have failed multiple TNF inhibitors, those with a high inflammatory response as part of their disease and those unable to tolerate methotrexate, given the good responses seen with monotherapy.
authors: University of Leeds, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Section of Musculoskeletal Disease, NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds, UK.
authors: Zoe
authors: Z
authors: Ash
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Emery
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D018579:Patient Selection; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; C508600:IL6 protein, human; C508603:IL6R protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; C502936:tocilizumab