In a study, patients with new-onset polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) who were treated with subcutaneous tocilizumab were more likely to achieve sustained, glucocorticoid-free remission than patients who received placebo.

In a study, patients with new-onset polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) who were treated with subcutaneous tocilizumab were more likely to achieve sustained, glucocorticoid-free remission than patients who received placebo.
Researcher identified multiple factors for flare, including non-use of methotrexate, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had switched from intravenous (IV) tocilizumab to subcutaneous tocilizumab.
Treatment with tocilizimab preserved lung function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) regardless of a patient’s level of lung involvement, according to a recent study.
In June, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for tocilizumab (Actemra) for treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 adults and children who are receiving systemic corticosteroids and supplemental oxygen. Since this announcement, the tocilizumab manufacturer, Genentech, has not been able to produce enough product to meet the higher demand. The…
Reuters Staff |
(Reuters)—Europe’s drugs regulator said on Monday it was evaluating the use of Roche’s arthritis drug, tocilizumab, in hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19, its latest review of a potential coronavirus treatment. Tocilizumab, sold by Roche as Actemra and RoActemra, has shown promise in clinical trials in treating COVID-19, and was approved by U.S. health regulators in…
ATLANTA—The ACR is actively engaged with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) drug shortage team as they work with the manufacturer to resolve current shortages of tocilizumab (Actemra). Demand for tocilizumab has outpaced supply, with demand increasing after the FDA’s June 24 Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for…
In a small study, patients with GCA maintained remission after receiving three days of treatment with methylprednisolone followed by tocilizumab.
Marilynn Larkin |
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Tocilizumab induced a slow and lasting remission after an ultra-short pulse (three days) of steroids in newly diagnosed giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients, a proof-of-concept trial shows.1 His early research on cytokines and glucocorticoids led Peter Villiger, MD, of Medical Center Monbijou, Bern, Switzerland, to find ways to reduce steroid use, he…
Subcutaneous tocilizumab is the first biologic agent approved by the FDA treat patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease.
John Revill |
ZURICH (Reuters)—Roche’s attempt to retool its rheumatoid arthritis drug Actemra/RoActemra (tocilizumab) to treat patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19-related pneumonia has failed in a late-stage trial, the Swiss company said on July 29. Roche launched the 452-patient trial in March as it joined other pharmaceutical companies seeking to re-purpose existing medicines to fight the pandemic. The…