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Recent years have seen many exciting developments in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis. Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a compound that inhibits the IL-6 receptor. Following initial studies in Japan, it has been extensively studied in five multicenter clinical trials. This report concentrates on the Actemra Versus Methotrexate Double-blind Investigative Trial in Monotherapy (AMBITION), which compared TCZ monotherapy (8 mg/kg every 4 weeks) with methotrexate monotherapy over 24 weeks. TCZ was shown to be the first biologic agent that is superior to methotrexate across a whole range of clinical outcomes measures with a rapid onset of effect. Significant liver toxicity was less common in the TCZ group. However, increases in lipids and decreases in neutrophils and skin infections were more common in the TCZ arm. Long-term efficacy and safety follow-up is ongoing. This trial supports the use of TCZ as monotherapy and suggests it should be regarded as a first-line biologic therapy.

Item Type:	Contribution to Refereed Journal
Keywords:	IL-6, rheumatoid, tocilizumab, trial
Research Division:	Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:	Clinical sciences
Research Field:	Rheumatology and arthritis
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Jones, G (Professor Graeme Jones)
ID Code:	64031
Year Published:	2010
Web of Science® Times Cited:	27
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2010-06-17
Last Modified:	2011-06-10
Downloads:	7 View Download Statistics