Anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody (tocilizumab) treatment of multicentric Castleman's disease.

Abstract

We report three cases of multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) successfully treated with anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody (tocilizumab). Tocilizumab was administered intravenously at a dose of 8 mg/kg every 2 weeks. In each case, tocilizumab alleviated symptoms, including generalized fatigue, pyrexia, and alleviated biochemical abnormalities, including anemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and increased C-reactive protein (CRP). Side effects included hypercholesterolemia, acute pyelonephritis, mild inflammation of the parotid glands, and upper respiratory system inflammation. Other severe side effects were not observed. These results indicate that tocilizumab is effective for the treatment of MCD. This is the first report on tocilizumab efficacy for Castleman's disease after approval for use for Castleman's disease.

• Authors: Masashi Matsuyama, Takeshi Suzuki, Hiroto Tsuboi, Satoshi Ito, Mizuko Mamura, Daisuke Goto, Isao Matsumoto, Akito Tsutsumi, Takayuki Sumida
• Journal: Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) (Intern Med) Vol. 46 Issue 11 Pg. 771-4 ( 2007) ISSN: 1349-7235 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 17541233 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Glucocorticoids
• Receptors, Interleukin-6
• Prednisolone
• tocilizumab

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage, adverse effects, immunology, therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Castleman Disease (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Injections, Intravenous
• Japan
• Middle Aged
• Prednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Receptors, Interleukin-6 (blood, immunology)