Biologic
RCSB PDB 8J6F
Tocilizumab
Actemra
- Mechanism of action
- IL-6 receptor antagonist (mAb)
- In plain language
- A lab-made antibody that blocks the IL-6 signal, a key driver of inflammation in autoimmune disease.
- How it works
- Tocilizumab is a recombinant humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds both soluble and membrane-bound interleukin-6 receptors, competitively inhibiting IL-6-mediated signaling. By blocking IL-6 from engaging its receptor, tocilizumab prevents downstream activation of the gp130 signal transducer, disrupting the JAK/STAT signaling cascade responsible for propagating the inflammatory response.
- Therapeutic applications
- FDA-approved for moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, active juvenile idiopathic arthritis, giant cell arteritis, systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, cytokine release syndrome induced by CAR-T cell therapy, and severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients requiring supplemental oxygen or ventilation.
- Class
- Monoclonal antibody
- Therapeutic area
- Immunology
View
Related compounds