Persistent effect of tocilizumab in refractory Takayasu’s arteritis (clinical observation)

Abstract

Study of the interleukin 6 (IL-6) role in chronic autoimmune inflammation has led to the development of innovative treatments for various autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases, including Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK). Given the important role of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of TAK and its association with high clinical and laboratory activity of the disease, tocilizumab (TCZ) is recommended as a second-line drug if both glucocorticoids and basic antiinflammatory drugs are inefficient, and previous therapy with tumor necrosis factor-α (alpha) inhibitors. The article presents our own observation of the successful use of TCZ in a patient with refractory TAK.

Keywords

• takayasu’s arteritis
• interleukin 6
• inflammation
• tocilizumab
• refractoriness
• activity
• stenosis