title: Impact of tocilizumab therapy on antibody response to influenza vaccine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the influence of tocilizumab (TCZ), a humanised monoclonal anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, on antibody response following influenza vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 194 RA patients received inactive trivalent influenza vaccination (A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B/B1 strains). All patients were classified into the TCZ (n=62), TCZ+methotrexate (MTX) (n=49), MTX (n=65) and RA control (n=18) groups. Antibody titres were measured before and 4-6 weeks after vaccination using the haemagglutination inhibitory assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 strains, the TCZ and TCZ+MTX groups achieved fold increases of 9.9-14.5, postvaccination seroprotection rates greater than 70% and seroresponse rates greater than 40%. For the B/B1 strain, seroresponse rates were approximately 30%, but fold increases and seroprotection rates were 5.0-5.4 and greater than 70%, respectively, in these treatment groups. MTX had a negative impact on vaccination efficacy, but adequate responses for protection were nevertheless demonstrated in the MTX group. Neither severe adverse effects nor RA flares were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TCZ does not hamper antibody response to influenza vaccine in RA patients. Influenza vaccination is considered effective in protecting RA patients receiving TCZ therapy with or without MTX.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Research Center for Rheumatic Disease, NHO Kumamoto Saishunsou National Hospital, 2659 Suya, Kohshi, Kumamoto 861-1196, Japan. moris@saisyunsou1.hosp.go.jp
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Yukitaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ueki
authors.forename: Naoyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hirakata
authors.forename: Motohiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oribe
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hidaka
authors.forename: Kazunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oishi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000276:immunology; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000592:standards; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; C502936:tocilizumab; D008727:Methotrexate