title: Treating neuromyelitis optica with the interleukin-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab.
abstract: We present a 32-year-old female patient with fulminant neuromyelitis optica. After the initial treatment with the monoclonal antibody rituximab failed, therapy with the anti-IL-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab was initiated. The patient experienced a clinically relevant improvement from severe tetraparesis to low-grade paresis, which is still maintained. On MRI of the spinal cord an almost complete restitution of a predescribed extensive myelopathy accompanied this clinical improvement. Meanwhile clinical stability was achieved for over 1 year without any side effects of the ongoing treatment with tocilizumab.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, German Diagnostic Clinic, Wiesbaden, Germany.
authors.forename: Ann-Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lauenstein
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stettner
authors.forename: Bernd C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Kieseier
authors.forename: Eckart
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lensch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000473:pathology*; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010487:Periaqueductal Gray / Q000473:pathology*; D011149:Pons / Q000473:pathology*; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; C502936:tocilizumab