IL-6 blockade for Behçet's disease: review on 31 anti-TNF naive and 45 anti-TNF experienced patients.
Clin Exp Rheumatol
; 40(8): 1575-1583, 2022 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36106545
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Despite the remarkable efficacy of anti-TNF agents in Behçet's disease (BD), unmet therapeutic needs for refractory or intolerant patients to these drugs still exist. Based on evidence implicating IL-6 in the pathogenesis of BD, we summarise the current experience on the off-label administration of the anti-IL-6 receptor antibody tocilizumab for BD refractory to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.METHODS:
We searched PubMed and EMBASE for original articles published through December 2021 reporting on the use of tocilizumab for BD.RESULTS:
We retrieved 25 articles fulfilling our search criteria, reporting on a total of 74 patients of whom 31 were anti- TNF naive; 2 additional anti-TNF experienced patients were included. The vast majority (72 of 76) received the standard intravenous dose of tocilizumab, whereas the total follow-up, including also post-treatment follow-up in many patients, ranged from 2 to 84 months without new safety issues. Tocilizumab was given in anti-TNF naive patients predominantly for vascular (n=16), central nervous system (n=7) and ocular involvement (n=5). On the other hand, anti-TNF experienced patients received tocilizumab predominantly for ocular (n=28), central nervous system (n=8) and mucocutaneous involvement (n=6). Tocilizumab was effective in 87% of anti-TNF naive (13 and 14 with complete and partial remission, respectively) and in 80% of anti-TNF experienced patients (17 and 19 with complete and partial remission, respectively).CONCLUSIONS:
Although preliminary, evidence published so far suggests that IL-6 inhibition is a legitimate therapeutic option for BD patients with refractory ocular, CNS and vascular involvement. Controlled studies are clearly needed.
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Síndrome de Behçet
/
Antirreumáticos
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article