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Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Umbrella Review
1 , 2 , * 2
1  Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
2  REQUIMTE/LAQV, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
Academic Editor: Marianna Christodoulou

Abstract:

Introduction: Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that targets and inhibits the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor. As a selective inhibitor of this cytokine, TCZ offers a targeted approach in managing inflammatory conditions. Given its specificity and potential therapeutic benefits, this article aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the efficacy and safety of TCZ in the treatment of RA. Methods: This study adhered to the structure of an Umbrella Review, which synthesizes multiple systematic reviews and clinical studies to provide a broad understanding of the subject matter. The review was conducted between October 2023 and August 2024, with a focus on patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. A thorough search was performed using the PubMed and Cochrane databases to identify relevant studies. The inclusion criteria were based on systematic reviews, while exclusion was applied to studies based on article type and publication date. Results: Seventeen studies were included in the analysis. These studies utilized the American College of Radiology (ACR) criteria to assess the efficacy of TCZ in comparison to other conventional and biologic DMARDs, as well as placebo. The results revealed that TCZ monotherapy demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing disease activity and improving physical function when compared to alternative treatments. Safety was evaluated by reviewing adverse reactions and infections associated with TCZ. Overall, the incidence of adverse events was similar to that observed with other biologic therapies, suggesting that TCZ does not pose an increased risk in this regard. Conclusion: Tocilizumab has proven to be an effective and safe option in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, offering distinct advantages in both efficacy and safety compared to other conventional and biological DMARDs. The findings from this review support its continued use, including as adjunctive therapy in managing RA, particularly for patients who do not respond adequately to traditional treatments.

Keywords: Tocilizumab; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Efficacy; Safety; Umbrella Review
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