A case of refractory intestinal Behçet's disease treated with tocilizumab, a humanised anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2017 Nov-Dec;35 Suppl 108(6):116-118. Epub 2017 Sep 21.

Abstract

We describe a young female patient who had refractory intestinal Behçet's disease that responded to tocilizumab, a humanised anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody. The patient had suffered from long disease activity courses and was treated with multiple medications, and the disease became refractory when immunosuppressants (e.g., thalidomide, sulfasalazine and azathioprine) were limited for poor remission, methylprednisolone pulse therapy, cyclophosphamide, and biological agents (e.g., adalimumab or infliximab) were restricted due to side effects after administration. Therefore, tocilizumab was considered as a therapeutic option and the symptoms resolved during 9 months of administration. Tocilizumab may be a good choice for intestinal Behçet's disease refractory to conventional treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Behcet Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Behcet Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Behcet Syndrome / immunology
  • Drug Resistance
  • Drug Substitution
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ileal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Ileal Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Ileal Diseases / immunology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ulcer / diagnosis
  • Ulcer / drug therapy*
  • Ulcer / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • IL6R protein, human
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6
  • tocilizumab