Yuriy Nikirenkov
Weissen 1, 07407 Uhlstaedt-Kirchhasel
Germany
Review Article
Efficiency of Tocilizumab Therapy for an Exacerbation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Review of Literature
Author(s): Yuriy NikirenkovYuriy Nikirenkov
One of the major proinflammatory cytokines is Interleukin-6 (IL-6), which, during interaction with hepatocytes, provokes the synthesis of a broad spectrum of acute phase inflammatory proteins. IL-6 plays a significant role in the development and progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), participates in the differentiation of CD4/CD8 regulatory T lymphocytes and in the production of autoantibodies by B lymphocytes, and increases the survival of plasmablasts. Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody that neutralizes the pleiotropic effects of the cytokine. The usage of this drug in SLE can be efficient in case high inflammatory activity, accompanied by fever, polyarthritis, polyserositis, skin lesions, and hemolytic anemia. TCZ has a satisfactory safety profile and may be considered as an alternative treatment for SLE when glucocorticoids, cytostatic agents,.. View More»