Successful use of Tocilizumab to treat amyloid A amyloidosis complicating juvenile idiopathic arthritis

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Successful use of a humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody,

tocilizumab, to treat amyloid A amyloidosis complicating juvenile idiopathic

arthritis

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/112775871/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1 & \

SRETRY=0

Yasuaki Okuda *, Kiyoshi Takasugi

Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Dohgo Spa Hospital, Ehime, Japan

Abstract

We report an excellent clinical response to treatment with a humanized

anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, tocilizumab, in a patient with

progressive amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis complicating very active juvenile

idiopathic arthritis.

Treatment with tocilizumab immediately normalized the serum AA (SAA) level,

and subsequently all of the clinical symptoms of AA amyloidosis disappeared.

Serial gastrointestinal biopsy specimens showed marked lasting regression of

AA protein deposits. The patient's functional ability score improved

dramatically, she maintains her mobility, and she has regained her previous

quality of life.

Tocilizumab appears to have an excellent ability to suppress SAA levels and

could therefore be an important therapeutic strategy in AA amyloidosis

secondary to rheumatic diseases.

email: Yasuaki Okuda (stardust@...)

*Correspondence to Yasuaki Okuda, Department of Internal Medicine, Center

for Rheumatic Diseases, Dohgo Spa Hospital, 21-21 Otsu Dohgo-Himezuka

Matsuyama-City, Ehime 790-0858, Japan