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  • Title: [Sustained response with tocilizumab in a case of refractory relapsing polychondritis].
    Author: Weber E, Gaultier JB, Paul S, Guichard I, Monard E, Cathébras P.
    Journal: Rev Med Interne; 2014 Mar; 35(3):196-8. PubMed ID: 24074969.
    Abstract:
    INTRODUCTION: Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by diffuse cartilage involvement, especially those of the respiratory tract, leading to potentially life threatening complications. Corticosteroids remain the first-line empirical therapy. Immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and tumor necrosis factor blockers (anti-TNFα) are commonly used as second-line therapy with varying degrees of success. CASE REPORT: We report a 40-year-old man with severe RP for whom conventional therapy and immunosuppressive treatments were ineffective. Prolonged clinical remission was obtained after introduction of the anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody (tocilizumab), which was perfectly tolerated and allowed to taper steroids and methotrexate to a very low dosage. CONCLUSION: Our patient is the fifth published one documenting the efficacy of tocilizumab in severe refractory RP, which strengthens the use of anti-IL-6 in that indication.
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