Abstract
Tocilizmab (TCZ) was introduced to 35 cases from May 2008 to September 2009. Among the cases which could be observed for half a year after the introduction, there were 13 cases which were effective to the biological medicine (First group; Group F) and 14 cases which were TNF-α in effective cases (Second group; Group S) The values of DAS28-ESR, VAS, MMP-3 and the decreased amount of the concurrent drugs were compared and examined between Group F and S, and before and half a year after the introduction of TCZ or at the time of its termination. In Group F, DAS28-ESR dropped to 2.17 from the initial level of 4.63, and in Group S, it dropped to 2.51 from the initial level of 5.17. Both achieved the remission. In Group F, VAS dropped to 11 from the initial level of 41.5 mm, and in Group S, it dropped to 17.7 from the initial level of 43.4 mm. MTX, PSL, the number of people who were prescribed and the average dosage decreased for both groups. In Group F, MMP-3dropped to 100 ng/ml from the initial level of 172.1 ng/ml, and in Group S, it dropped to 103.9 ng/ml from the initial level of 246.7 ng/ml. After 24 weeks, there was an increased number of cases which shifted to the single-agent treatment for both cases. This examination suggests that it is appropriate to consider TCZ as one of the first options when introducing a biological agent.
