IL-6 is one of the most abundant cytokines in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and plays a critical role in RA disease progression.1,2
In a single-center controlled study, mean serum IL-6 levels were approximately 10x higher in patients with RA (n=66) than in control group (n=24)7‡
IL-6=interleukin-6; CRP=C-reactive protein.
Patients with uncontrolled RA may be identified in different ways, such as showing inadequate clinical response or having to switch or discontinue current treatment.8-10
are unable to achieve adequate clinical response (ACR20) despite treatment with a TNF inhibitor, leading them to experience some degree of limitation in their daily lives8
of patients discontinue or switch to a new biologic at 1 year of initiating their first biologic9,10
Recent ACR and EULAR RA treatment guidelines conditionally recommend switching MOA as a treatment option for TNF-IR patients11,12*
If treatment target of remission or low disease activity is not achieved in patients with moderate or high disease activity despite the use of MTX or a TNF inhibitor:
ACR20=American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria; TNF=tumor necrosis factor; EULAR=European League Against Rheumatism; MOA=mechanism of action; TNF-IR=tumor necrosis factor inhibitor inadequate response or intolerant; MTX=methotrexate.
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