Clinical experience with inhibition of interleukin-6

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease that is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Prognosis depends on disease severity and response to treatment. Those patients whose diseases are refractory to treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and have persistent inflammation have reduced survival similar to patients with triple-vessel coronary artery disease and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Although DMARDs reduce inflammation and improve symptoms, they do not improve long-term prognosis. Chronic synovial inflammation results in damage to the articular cartilage and adjacent bone. Consequently, after 10 years of disease most patients develop significant disability due to joint damage. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key mediator of inflammation in RA. Inhibition of IL-6 reduces synovitis and improves symptoms. Therapies targeting IL-6 are promising new treatments for RA.