Two-year efficacy of tocilizumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis in clinical practice

Reumatol Clin. 2017 Mar-Apr;13(2):78-84. doi: 10.1016/j.reuma.2016.03.014. Epub 2016 May 10.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical practice, retention rates of the drug and predictors of response.

Methods: We performed a descriptive, prospective, longitudinal, open-label study in patients receiving TCZ (8mg/kg/4 weeks) in a clinical practice setting. The clinical responses were evaluated using the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria, and the low activity and remission rates according to the Disease Activity Score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) and the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI).

Results: The EULAR response rate was 86.63% and the DAS28 remission rate was 53.7% after 6 months of treatment; rates of low disease activity were 52.9% on CDAI and 47.1% on DAS28 at month 24. There were no statistically significant differences in EULAR response, rates of low activity and remission on DAS28 between patients receiving TCZ alone and those receiving TCZ in combination therapy, or between patients positive or negative for rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies. The naïve biological therapy patients showed better remission and low activity rates after 6 months of treatment. The retention rate was 61% at month 24. Adverse events were among the most frequent causes of discontinuation.

Conclusions: Tocilizumab is effective in RA, has a similar efficacy when used alone or in combination with synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and shows high retention rates.

Keywords: Artritis reumatoide; Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; Fármacos antirreumáticos modificadores de la enfermedad; Rheumatoid arthritis; Tocilizumab.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • tocilizumab