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ACTEMRA/RoACTEMRA

inhibits IL-6, a key cytokine

in the rheumatoid synovium

About ACTEMRA

ACTEMRA: A Biologic for the Treatment of RA

Tocilizumab is known as RoACTEMRA in the EU and Mexico and as ACTEMRA in other countries.

ACTEMRA/RoACTEMRA is the first humanised monoclonal antibody that targets and inhibits the human interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor and represents a novel mechanism of action to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ACTEMRA/RoACTEMRA inhibits the actions of IL-6, a key pro-inflammatory cytokine that also affects a variety of tissues and organ systems in the body.1.2

ACTEMRA/RoACTEMRA has undergone the largest Phase III clinical trial programme for a biologic in RA. These clinical studies have shown that treatment of RA patients with ACTEMRA/RoACTEMRA has beneficial effects not only on joint inflammation and damage but also on some of the systemic manifestations associated with RA, such as anaemia and fatigue.3

Based on the results of randomised, controlled Phase III clinical trials, RoACTEMRA in combination with methotrexate (MTX) was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in January 2009 for treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe active RA who have either responded inadequately to, or who were intolerant to, previous therapy with one or more disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists. In these patients, RoACTEMRA can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to MTX or where continued treatment with MTX is inappropriate. Additionally, RoACTEMRA has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of joint damage as measured by X-ray and to improve physical function when given in combination with MTX.3.4

This section contains detailed scientific and medical information on ACTEMRA/RoACTEMRA, including the mechanism of action, dosage and administration details and safety and efficacy information from key clinical trials.

 

References:
1. Madhok R, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 1993; 52:232-234. 2. Naka T, et al. Ann Arthritis Res 2002; 4(Suppl 3):S233-S242. 3. RoACTEMRA® (tocilizumab) Summary of Production Characteristics. Roche Registration Limited. August 2011. 4. RoACTEMRA® EU Commission Approval. Accessed October 2009. http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/medicines/human/medicines/000955/human_med_001042.jsp&murl=menus/medicines/medicines.jsp

Healthcare Professionals

The items in this section are useful guides to ACTEMRA/RoACTEMRA dosing and administration for healthcare professionals involved in the management of patients with RA. More...