title: Efficacy of Tocilizumab in the treatment of Eosinophilic fasciitis: Report of one case.
abstract: A 43-year-old man was diagnosed with an Eosinophilic fasciitis with cutaneous and articular involvement. The patient experienced an early response with high-dose corticosteroids achieving a global remission of disease. Nevertheless, during the steroids tapering phase, he presented a new flare and subsequently developed a corticosteroid refractory disease. The addition of Methotrexate in monotherapy then associated with an anti-tumor necrosis factor agent did not show any additional benefit. Therefore Tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor, was initiated achieving an immediate response that persists after 36 months of follow-up. The use of this biological agent allows prednisone withdrawal at 3 months and remission of both articular and cutaneous manifestations at 6 months. This report describes for the first time the efficacy of an anti interleukin-6 agent in Eosinophilic fasciitis treatment.
authors.affiliation: Clinical immunology and osteoarticular diseases therapeutic unit, Lapeyronie university hospital, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Espinoza
authors.affiliation: Clinical immunology and osteoarticular diseases therapeutic unit, Lapeyronie university hospital, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jorgensen
authors.affiliation: Clinical immunology and osteoarticular diseases therapeutic unit, Lapeyronie university hospital, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France. Electronic address: ympers2000@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Yves-Marie
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Pers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors; D015850:Interleukin-6
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; C502936:tocilizumab
keywords: Corticosteroids refractory disease; Eosinophilic fasciitis; Interleukin-6; Tocilizumab