Confirmation of effectiveness of tocilizumab by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in biologic agent-naïve early-stage rheumatoid arthritis patients

Abstract

Efficacy of tocilizumab in active early-stage RA patients despite methotrexate was evaluated for 12 months. One out of 5 patients was quitted by infusion reaction whereas tocilizumab continued for 12 months in the remaining 4 patients. Power Doppler articular synovitis was reduced in every patient and disappeared in 2 patients. Marked MRI osteitis, found in 1 patient, had disappeared at 12 months. Present results confirm the efficacy of tocilizumab by ultrasonography and MRI.

Keywords:

• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Remission
• Tocilizumab
• Ultrasonography

Acknowledgements

We thank Prof. Masataka Uetani (Department of Radiology and Radiation Research, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences) for assistance with RAMRIS. We also thank Dr. Akitomo Okada and Dr. Yoshiro Horai (Unit of Translational Medicine, Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences) for performing mTSS. The part of this study was supported by Abbvie GK, Astellas Pharma Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Eisai Co., Eli Lilly Japan, Janssen Pharmaceutical K. K., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Pfizer Japan, Santen Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical Co.

Conflict of interest

None.