What disease does tocilizumab treat?

Tocilizumab is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist used to treat cytokine release syndrome (CRS), systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease, and Cellular Arteritis (GCA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and subsequently for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults who are receiving systemic corticosteroids and require supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by T cells, B cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, fibroblasts and other cells, IL-6 It can rapidly induceC-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen, haptoglobin and α-1-antichymotrypsin, while inhibiting the production of fibronectin, albumin and transferrin. IL-6 also induces antibody production, induces cytotoxic T cell differentiation, and inhibits regulatory T cell differentiation. Tocilizumabprevents IL-6-mediated inflammation by binding to soluble and membrane-bound IL-6 receptors.

TocilizumabThe original drug has been launched in China and has been included in the medical insurance. Due to its short time on the market, the second-line treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis is still limited to traditional treatments for rheumatoid arthritisDMARDs To treat patients whose disease activity has decreased by less than 50% in 3 to 6 months, Tocilizumab injection can only be used as directed by the doctor. Its price is around RMB 8,600, which is relatively expensive. The price of the European version of tocilizumab original drug available overseas is around around RMB 14,000 (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The ingredients and efficacy of the two drugs are basically the same. Currently, there are no generic drugs produced and marketed overseas, and patients can choose by themselves.