Key result
Tocilizumab linked to a ~67% reduction in median NIH scores in refractory Takayasu arteritis.
Why the study?
The efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in the treatment of refractory Takayasu arteritis required evaluation.
Does tocilizumab improve disease activity and induce remission in patients with refractory Takayasu arteritis?
Observational (n=11)
No
Does tocilizumab improve disease activity and induce remission in patients with refractory Takayasu arteritis?
Absolute Event Rate: 1% vs 3%
p-value: p=<0.001
Tocilizumab appears to be an efficacious and safe treatment for refractory Takayasu arteritis, significantly reducing disease activity scores and facilitating glucocorticoid sparing.
May support TCZ consideration in refractory Takayasu arteritis; leaves open randomized confirmation of remission.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) in the treatment of refractory Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Eleven refractory TAK patients treated with TCZ at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between 2017 July and 2020 December were respectively analyzed. We also respectively analyzed the studies on TCZ efficacy in patients with TAK, from PubMed/MEDLINE, Elsevier Science Direct between January 2010 and April 2021. The median age of 11 patients was 34(19-46) years. After 3 months of TCZ, a significant drop was found in median NIH (3[2-5] at baseline vs 1[0-2] after 6 months; p < 0.05), ITAS-2010 score (8.5[6-11] vs 6[1-10]; p < 0.05). One (9%) patient experienced relapse during TCZ treatment. After withdrawal of TCZ, one patient (9%) underwent relapse and nine patients (81%) were spared of GC use. In literature review, a total of 211 patients (mean age 35 years) were analyzed, including 80 (38%) Chinese and 169 females (80%). Among the 211 patients, (154 patients) 73% achieved remission after the last infusion of TCZ; TAK relapsed in 6% of patients during TCZ treatment and 5% of the TCZ patients after the withdrawal of TCZ. A total of 95 types of adverse events were observed in the literature. Infection was the most common adverse effect, occurring in 50% of patients. TCZ could serve as an efficacious and safe agent for refractory TAK.
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Li et al. (2021) conducted an observational in Refractory Takayasu arteritis (n=11). Tocilizumab vs. Baseline was evaluated on NIH score (p=<0.001). Tocilizumab significantly reduced median NIH scores from 3 at baseline to 1 after 6 months of treatment in patients with refractory Takayasu arteritis.
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