Tocilizumab (Actemra) adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis
The objective of this review was to evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of the SC formulation of TCZ at recommended doses alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) or other DMARDs in adult patients with moderately to severely active RA with an inadequate response to one or more DMARDs...
| Format: | eBook |
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| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Ottawa (ON)
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
2015, 2015
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| Series: | Common drug review
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| Online Access: | |
| Collection: | National Center for Biotechnology Information - Collection details see MPG.ReNa |
| Summary: | The objective of this review was to evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of the SC formulation of TCZ at recommended doses alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) or other DMARDs in adult patients with moderately to severely active RA with an inadequate response to one or more DMARDs and/or TNF alpha inhibitor therapies Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by joint swelling, joint tenderness, and destruction of synovial joints, leading to severe disability and premature mortality. The prevalence of RA in Canada is about 1%. The pharmacological therapy of RA aims to achieve remission and, if remission is not possible, to minimize disease activity while controlling symptoms, halting damage, preventing disability, and improving quality of life. Non-biologic synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been shown to alter the clinical course of RA and slow or halt radiographic progression when used early and aggressively in the treatment of RA. Methotrexate is the preferred DMARD with respect to efficacy and safety and is recommended as first-line DMARD treatment in patients with RA unless contraindicated or not tolerated. Based on Canadian Rheumatology Association guidelines, if patients do not attain the desired target within three to six months of non-biologic DMARD therapy, treatment with a biologic therapy should be initiated. Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a recombinant humanized anti-human interleukin (IL)-6 receptor monoclonal antibody. It blocks the pleiotropic cytokine IL-6, which is found at high levels in the joints affected by RA. In Canada, TCZ is available as 162 mg/0.9 mL solution in single-use pre-filled syringes for subcutaneous (SC) injection, and in single-use vials containing 80 mg/4 mL, 200 mg/10 mL, or 400 mg/20 mL for intravenous (IV) infusion. The IV formulation of TCZ was previously reviewed by the Canadian Drug Expert Committee for the treatment of RA and received a recommendation to be listed for adults with moderate to severely active RA who have failed to respond to an adequate trial of both DMARDs and a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitor. |
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| Physical Description: | 1 online resource illustrations |