Long-term Effects of IL-6 Receptor Blockade Therapy on Regulatory Lymphocytes and Neutrophils in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a disabling autoimmune neurologic disease. Anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) therapy prevents relapses in patients with anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4)-IgG-positive NMOSD; however, it remains unclear how cellular immune components are altered by anti-IL-6R therapy. In this study, we examined the long-term effects of the anti-IL-6R monoclonal antibody tocilizumab (TCZ) on immune cell profiles in patients with NMOSD.

Methods

Monthly IV injections of TCZ (8 mg/kg) were administered as an add-on therapy to 19 anti-AQP4-IgG-positive patients, who had been refractory to corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. Peripheral blood was collected before infusion of TCZ for flow cytometry analysis of lymphocyte subsets. Sev

SUBMITTER: Matsuoka T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10691226 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature