Rational repurposing of tocilizumab for treatment of lung fibrosis in systemic sclerosis

Recent approval of the anti-interleukin (IL)-6 receptor antibody tocilizumab by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for slowing the rate of decline in pulmonary function in adult patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease is a welcome step towards better treatment and outcomes for systemic sclerosis. Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease has emerged as one of the major causes of death in a disease with very high burden and unmet need. Tocilizumab is the second drug approved by the FDA for this indication and the first biological agent approved for any aspect of systemic sclerosis, 1 RocheRoche's Actemra/RoActemra becomes the first biologic therapy approved by the FDA for slowing the rate of decline in pulmonary function in adults with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, a rare, debilitating condition. https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2021-03-05b.htmDate: March 5, 2021 Date accessed: April 1, 2021 Google Scholar underpinned by a substantial body of translational medical research.