The efficacy of tocilizumab in a patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with Castleman's disease

Heart Vessels. 2010 Sep;25(5):444-7. doi: 10.1007/s00380-009-1215-5. Epub 2010 Jul 31.

Abstract

Castleman's disease is a highly heterogeneous clinical-pathological entity that belongs to the lymphoproliferative disorders and is associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in some patients. It is linked to excessive immune stimulation by interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is also involved in the pathogenesis of PAH. A 31-year-old woman with Castleman's disease demonstrated PAH characterized by severe right heart failure. Since she was resistant to various conventional therapies including steroids, prostacyclins, bosentan, and sildenafil, tocilizumab (anti-IL-6 receptor antibody) therapy was started. Her clinical course was followed for 6 months, with significant improvement without any adverse effect. This is the first reported case of use of tocilizumab in addition to steroids and conventional PAH therapy in a patient with PAH associated with Castleman's disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Castleman Disease / complications
  • Castleman Disease / drug therapy*
  • Castleman Disease / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / physiopathology
  • Steroids / therapeutic use*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Steroids
  • tocilizumab