PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Vinall, Maria ED - Smolen, Josef S. TI - Tocilizumab, a Novel Monoclonal Antibody Targeting IL-6 Signaling, Significantly Reduces Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis DP - 2007 Sep 01 TA - MD Conference Express PG - 11--11 VI - 7 IP - 4 4099 - http://mdc.sagepub.com/content/7/4/11.1.short 4100 - http://mdc.sagepub.com/content/7/4/11.1.full AB - The cytokine IL-6 plays a central role in maintaining chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Tocilizumab is the first humanized interleukin-6 receptor inhibiting monoclonal antibody and represents a novel mechanism of action to treat RA. This article presents data from the phase 3 Tocilizumab Pivotal Trial in Methotrexate Inadequate Responders [OPTION] international study, involving 623 patients with moderate to severe RA.