The antibody tocilizumab may be useful in treating patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, as it targeted the cytokine interleukin-6, reduced fever, arthritis and skin rashes in one patient, according to data published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology.
A 22-year-old patient displayed with a high-grade fever, urticarial vasculitis, polyarthritis and tumid lupus, and was treated with corticosteroids.
Treatment was successful, however, symptoms reappeared when the dose was lowered to ,10 mg, researchers noted in the abstract. After treatment with tocilizumab, symptoms were managed, and the patient was able to wean off steroid therapy.
In addition to steroid treatment, the patient had previously attempted treatment with, but did not respond to, antimalarials, anakinra, methotrexate, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, etanercept, photoprotection, and mycophenolate mofetil before using tocilizumab, according to the abstract.
Disclosure: Dr. Makol and researchers report no relevant disclosures.