Recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody directed against human interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6R); designed to inhibit biological activities of IL-6. Prepn: M. Tsuchiya et al., WO 9219759; eidem, US 5795965 (1992, 1998 both to Chugai); K. Sato et al., Cancer Res. 53, 851 (1993). Pharmacology: H. Shinkura et al., Anticancer Res. 18, 1217 (1998). Clinical pharmacokinetics: N. Nishimoto et al., J. Rheumatol. 30, 1426 (2003). Clinical study in rheumatoid arthritis: idem et al., Arthritis Rheum. 50, 1761 (2004); in Crohn's disease: H. Ito et al., Gastroenterology 126, 989 (2004). Review of preclinical and clinical pharmacology: N. Nishimoto et al., Ann. Rheum. Dis. 59, Suppl. 1, i21-i27 (2000); and therapeutic potential: C. Ding, G. Jones, Curr. Opin. Mol. Ther.. 5, 64-69 (2003); of mechanism of action: H. Ito, Expert Opin. Ther. Targets 8, 287-294 (2004).
Anti-inflammatory.
Anti-inflammatory (Biological Response Modifier)