Anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, tocilizumab, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-6 is a cytokine with multiple biological activities. It contributes to host defense against pathogens, whereas accelerated production of IL-6 plays a significant pathological role in various diseases. Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of tocilizumab, a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Castleman's disease or juvenile idiopathic arthritis, leading to approval of this innovative drug for the treatment of these diseases. Since IL-6 has been demonstrated to play a significant role in the development of various other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, tocilizumab can be expected to become a novel drug for such diseases as well.

• Authors: Toshio Tanaka, Masashi Narazaki, Tadamitsu Kishimoto
• Journal: FEBS letters (FEBS Lett) Vol. 585 Issue 23 Pg. 3699-709 (Dec 01 2011) ISSN: 1873-3468 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21419125 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Receptors, Interleukin-6
• tocilizumab

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Autoimmune Diseases (drug therapy, immunology)
• Humans
• Inflammation (drug therapy, immunology)
• Models, Immunological
• Receptors, Interleukin-6 (antagonists & inhibitors, immunology)