[Clinical benefits of anti-human IL-6 receptor antibody therapy].

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays pathological roles in promoting autoimmune reactions and chronic inflammation as well as destruction of bone and cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Humanized anti-human IL-6 receptor antibody, tocilizumab, specifically recognizes human IL-6 receptor and inhibits IL-6 actions. Tocilizumab has been shown to ameliorate the disease activity of RA in the clinical trials. Tocilizuamb can be a new therapy based on the pathology of RA.