Interleukin 6 Inhibition in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Highlight on Olokizumab

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immunoinflammatory rheumatic disease, which manifests as progressive destruction of joints, systemic inflammation of visceral organs and a wide range of comorbidities associated with chronic inflammation. Among the cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of RA and certain other immunoinflammatory rheumatic diseases, the role of interleukin (IL) 6 is of special interest. The introduction of the monoclonal antibodies tocilizumab and later sarilumab, both of which block the IL-6 receptor, into clinical practice was an important achievement in the treatment of immunoinflammatory rheumatic diseases at the beginning of the 21st century. The humanized monoclonal antibody against IL-6, olokizumab, provides a new mode of action by direct inhibition of IL-6. This article reviews new data on the efficacy and safety of olokizumab in RA and the prospects of its use in rheumatology.