Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pivotal cytokine in the pathogenesis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), yet the efficacy of IL-6 blockade with tocilizumab (TCZ) for the treatment of PMR is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of TCZ in newly diagnosed PMR.

In a single-center open-label study, patients with newly diagnosed PMR who had been treated with glucocorticoids (GCs) for <1 month were treated monthly with intravenous (IV) TCZ 8 mg/kg for 1 year, with a rapid tapering of GCs according to standardized protocol. The primary end point was the proportion of patients in relapse-free remission without GC treatment at 6 months. Secondary outcome measures included duration of GC use and cumulative GC dose. Patients were followed up for 15 months.

Ten patients were enrolled in the study. One patient withdrew after 2 months, leaving 9 patients in whom the primary end point was assessed. The primary end point of relapse-free remission without GC treatment at 6 months was achieved by all 9 of these patients. All patients who received TCZ treatment were able to discontinue GCs within 4 months of study entry. The cumulative mean ± SD prednisone dose was 1,085 ± 301 mg and the total duration of GC exposure was 3.9 ± 0.9 months. Remission persisted without relapse, in all 9 patients, throughout the entire 15-month study.

Our findings suggest that TCZ may be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for newly diagnosed patients with PMR, with a robust steroid-sparing effect.