Author(s):
1. Jelena Mrđa, klinicki centar republike srpske, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2. Barbara Stanimirović, klinicki centar republike srpske, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Dejan Pejić, JZU Bolnica Gradiška, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
4. Vladimir Mrđa, klinicki centar republike srpske, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract:
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune disease characterized by persistent synovitis and progressive destruction of joints and bones. In the last decade biologic therapy has changed course and prognosis of this disease. Tocilizumab (TCZ) as biologic agens is a humanized monoclonal antibody that acts as an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist and reduces inflammation. Used as monotherapy or in combination with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) it is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis who had an inadequate response to one or more DMARDs or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists. In several studies, tocilizumab had beneficial effects on the signs and symptoms of disease, health-related quality of life, physical function and radiologic disease progression. The aim of this study is the short review of the pharmacology of tocilizumab and present efficacy and safety of TCZ in patients with RA.

Key words:
rheumatoid arthritis, tocilizumab, biologic therapy

Thematic field:
SYMPOSIUM B - Biomaterials and nanomedicine

Date of abstract submission:
09.06.2015.

Conference:
Contemporary Materials 2015 - Savremeni Materijali

Applied paper from author