LAUSR

Background/aim Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors and anti-interleukin-6 (anti-IL-6) therapies are increasingly being used in Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) patients who are unresponsive to corticosteroids ± conventional immunosuppressive agents. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of anti-IL-6 (tocilizumab) therapy in refractory TA patients in real life. Materials and methods Fifteen TA patients (86.7% were female) who received at least 3 cycles of tocilizumab therapy were retrospectively assessed by clinical, laboratory, and radiological evaluations before and after tocilizumab therapy. Results The median (min–max) age of the patients at evaluation was 35 (20–58) years and the median disease duration from diagnosis was 24 (12–168) months. The median (min.–max.) duration of follow-up after tocilizumab was 15 (3–42) months. There was a significant decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and patient global visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of patients after tocilizumab therapy. The median (min.–max.) ESR was 26 (5–119) vs. 3 (2–49) mm/h, P = 0.02; CRP was 39.8 (2.4–149.0) vs. 7.9 (0–92.9) mg/L, P = 0.017; and patient global VAS was 50 (0–90) vs. 30 (0–60), P = 0.027, respectively. In 8 patients, ESR and CRP levels were in the normal range in the last control. Imaging modality results after tocilizumab were available for 9 patients; 8 patients were radiologically stable and regression was seen in 1 patient. Comparable imaging modality results before and after tocilizumab were available for 5 patients; 4 patients were radiologically stable and regression was seen in 1 patient. Radiological findings were consistent with laboratory responses. Glucocorticoid dosages decreased from a mean dosage of 16.2 (9.1) mg/day at baseline to 7.1 (3.8) mg/day (P = 0.001) at the last follow-up visit. There was no increase in the steroid dosage in any of the patients. All patients tolerated tocilizumab well. Conclusion Based on retrospective real life data, anti-IL-6 (tocilizumab) appears to be an effective and tolerable treatment option in refractory TA patients.