title: Efficacy and safety of anti-interleukin 6 receptor monoclonal antibody (tocilizumab) in Colombian patients with Takayasu arteritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe the efficacy and safety of anti-interleukin 6 receptor antibody (tocilizumab [TCZ]) in patients with severe or refractory Takayasu arteritis (TA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe 8 Colombian patients with severe and/or refractory TA treated with TCZ during a period of at least 9 months. Clinical, radiological, biological, and associated treatments were evaluated before, during, and after TCZ infusions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age at evaluation was 31 years (12-43 years). All patients were female and experienced clinical and biological improvement, in addition to a corticosteroid-sparing effect from a median dose of 50 mg/d at baseline (30-60 mg/d) to 6.25 mg/d (2.5-10 mg/d) at 9 months. In 4 cases, in which imaging studies were available, an improvement was observed. The median duration of TCZ infusions was 18 months (9-36 months). Major adverse effects related to TCZ were not evidenced during a period of at least 9 months of treatment. One relapse was observed. Tocilizumab was continued in all cases until the last follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows a clinical, biological, and radiological response in patients with refractory TA treated with TCZ.
authors.affiliation: From the *Rheumatology Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili, ICESI University Medical School, Cali, Colombia; †Rheumatology Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili, ICESI University, Cali, Colombia; ‡Rheumatology Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia; and §Radiology Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili, ICESI University Medical School, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Carlos Alberto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Cañas
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cañas
authors.forename: Jorge Hernan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Izquierdo
authors.forename: Andrés-Felipe
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Echeverri
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mejía
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonilla-Abadía
authors.forename: Gabriel J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Tobón
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; C502936:tocilizumab