title: IL-6 inhibition for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions.
abstract: New data published or presented in the past year has expanded our understanding of the clinical use of interleukin 6 (IL-6) inhibitors and their role in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic diseases. Data has become available on the use of tocilizumab (TCZ) in comparison to adalimumab, as therapy in RA patients with an inadequate response to TNF inhibitors and on its role as monotherapy. Early data on the efficacy and safety of subcutaneously administered TCZ suggests a potential role for this formulation of the drug. Extension studies of the use of TCZ in systemic juvenile inflammatory arthritis have confirmed the long-term efficacy of the drug in this illness, while studies on the use of TCZ and other IL-6 inhibitors in spondyloarthropathies has been less encouraging. Finally, new agents targeting the IL-6 pathway have entered late stage clinical trials, and the early results are promising.
authors.affiliation: Northshore University Health System, Evanston, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Woodrick
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Ruderman
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D025242:Spondylarthropathies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000068879:Adalimumab; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors; C502936:tocilizumab