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Efficacy of tocilizumab in highly relapsing MOGAD with an inadequate response to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy: A case series

You-Ri Kang, Ki Hoon Kim, Jae-Won Hyun, Su-Hyun Kim, H. Kim

Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 2024

16 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is an inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system that may require long-term immunotherapy in relapsing cases. While immunotherapies utilized in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder have shown varying efficacy in MOGAD, intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) recently emerged as a promising treatment. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, has been reported to be effective in refractory MOGAD in several case studies, where tocilizumab was introduced primarily due to rituximab failure.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted in a single center and focused on MOGAD patients receiving tocilizumab therapy, who have shown limited response to various immunotherapies, including intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) maintenance.

RESULTS

This study included four patients, three adults, and one child. They experienced a median of 9 attacks (range 6-9) throughout their disease course despite at least two immunotherapies. All patients transitioned to tocilizumab after experiencing a median of two relapses (range 1-3) while on IVIG maintenance for a median of 21.9 months (range 21.3-49.6 months). Following the monthly tocilizumab administration at a dose of 8g/kg, all patients remained relapse-free with a median follow-up duration of 25.0 months (range 9.8-51.3 months) without reported adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Targeting the IL-6 pathway appears…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.

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