DRUG-INDUCED ENCEPHALOPATHY WITH IMPAIRED COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS DURING TOCILIZUMAB USE

Abstract

Blockade of interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the most promising areas in the treatment of a number of immunoinflammatory diseases. Tocilizumab (TCZ), the first registered anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, has been used effectively by rheumatologists since 2010. During this period, the spectrum of adverse reactions (ARs) of TCZ has been clearly defined. However, the multifaceted biological effects of IL-6 determine the probability of unexpected ARs. The article describes a clinical case of drug-induced encephalopathy with cognitive dysfunction during TCZ therapy.

Keywords

• tocilizumab
• rheumatoid arthritis
• interleukin-6
• adverse reaction
• cognitive dysfunction
• tofacitinib