Utility of Dose Frequency Adjustment in Tocilizumab Administration for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the utility of dose frequency adjustment of tocilizumab (TCZ) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Patients who received TCZ at 3-week (n = 24) or 5-week (n = 61) interval were evaluated.

RESULTS

Disease Activity Score at 28 joints based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the 3-week group significantly improved after 3 administrations at 3-week intervals (from 4.2 to 2.7, p = 0.001). Forty-five of the patients in the 5-week group (74%) successfully continued 5-week interval administration without disease exacerbation. Lower C-reactive protein level at TCZ initiation and shorter duration to remission achievement were key to successful dose frequency reduction.

CONCLUSION

Adjusting the dose frequency of intravenous TCZ is a useful strategy.