Blocking the effects of interleukin-6 in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases: systematic literature review and meta-analysis informing a consensus statement. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Suppression of the immunoinflammatory cascade by targeting interleukin 6 (IL-6) mediated effects constitutes a therapeutic option for chronic inflammatory diseases. Tocilizumab is the only IL-6 inhibitor (IL-6i) licensed for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), but also other agents targeting either IL-6 or its receptor are investigated in various indications. OBJECTIVE: To review published evidence on safety and efficacy of IL-6i in inflammatory diseases. METHODS: We performed systematic literature searches in Medline and Cochrane, screened EULAR and American College of Rheumatology meeting-abstracts, and accessed http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. RESULTS: Comprehensive evidence supports the efficacy of tocilizumab in RA in DMARD-naïve patients, and after DMARD- and TNFi-failure. Randomised comparisons demonstrate superiority of tocilizumab in JIA, but not ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Other indications are currently investigated. Additional IL-6i show similar efficacy; safety generally appears acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: IL-6i is effective and safe in RA and JIA, but not in AS. Preliminary results in other indications need substantiation.

publication date

  • November 10, 2012

Research

keywords

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Arthritis, Juvenile
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid
  • Interleukin-6
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC3595140

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84874403935

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1002/14651858.CD008331.pub2

PubMed ID

  • 23144446

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 72

issue

  • 4