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Tocilizumab, an anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, efficiently ameliorates persistent joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Objectives To assess the efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ) in the treatment of persistent arthritis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods The response to TCZ was evaluated in 304 patients with RA. TCZ treatment was completed after no fewer than 168 consecutive days between 28 May 2008 and 31 July 2019. Efficacy was evaluated using the DAS28-ESR and EULAR response criteria. Results The mean DAS28-ESR decreased from 4.5 at baseline to 2.0 and 1.5, at 2 months and 1 year after treatment initiation, respectively, and was below 1.5 at 10 years. The retention rate within 1 year was 92.3%. TCZ re-administration to 74 patients with relapsed RA after TCZ withdrawal was also effective. The mean DAS28-ESR decreased from 4.4 at baseline to 1.8 and 1.6 at 2 months and 1 year after retreatment initiation, respectively. The mean swollen joint count decreased from 4.1 in initial TCZ administration and 2.8 in re-administration at baseline to 0.8 and 0.4 at 2 months, respectively. In all patients, good or moderate responses were achieved at least once within 12 months in both initial TCZ administration and re-administration. Conclusion TCZ efficiently ameliorated persistent arthritis in RA, regardless of initial administration and re-administration.