Abstract

BRICENO-CASADO, MP  and  GIL-SIERRA, MD. Long-term results of tocilizumab for the treatment of Takayasu arteritis in clinical practice. Rev. OFIL·ILAPHAR [online]. 2022, vol.32, n.1, pp.105-106.  Epub Nov 21, 2022. ISSN 1699-714X.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/s1699-714x20220001000021.

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare disease described as a granulomatous vasculitis that affects large-caliber elastic arteries, mainly the aorta and its main branches. As consequence of inflammation of these great vessels, TA can lead to the formation of aneurysms, stenosis or vascular occlusion. This pathology mainly affects young women and symptoms include: syncope, dizziness, decreased or absent pulse, and visual impairments. Conventional treatment is mainly based on the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, although biological drugs has recently begun to be considered. Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against IL-6 used off-label in some patients to treat this pathology. We present two clinical cases describing the long-term use of tocilizumab in patients with TA refractory to conventional treatment. In both cases, an excellent response to tocilizumab with remission of symptoms and a reduction in associated corticosteroid doses was observed. No adverse events associated with treatment were collected.

Keywords : Takayasu arteritis; vasculitis; tocilizumab; corticoids.

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