ACTEMRA is not indicated for the treatment of MTX-naïve patients with RA. ACTEMRA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more DMARDs.
DMARD=disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; MTX=methotrexate.
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ACTEMRA® (tocilizumab) is a humanized IgG1κ monoclonal antibody that is thought to inhibit interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor signaling by binding both soluble and membrane-bound IL-6 receptors, thereby blocking downstream pro-inflammatory cascades. It is indicated for adult patients with moderately to severely active RA who have had inadequate response to one or more DMARDs.
In RA, ACTEMRA can be given as an IV infusion or SC injection. The IV dosing is weight-based (4 mg/kg every 4 weeks, with possible escalation to 8 mg/kg up to 800 mg based on clinical response) and administered over ~1 hour. Transition to SC involves giving the first SC dose when the next IV infusion would have been due. For SC use, the standard fixed dose is 162 mg weekly (or every other week in patients < 100 kg).
The safety profile includes increased risk of serious infections (including TB and opportunistic pathogens), gastrointestinal perforation hepatotoxicity, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hypersensitivity reactions, and lab abnormalities. Baseline and ongoing monitoring should include CBC with differential, AST/ALT, lipid panel (4–8 weeks after initiation, then periodically), and screening for latent TB/hepatitis before starting. Interrupt or withhold dosing if ANC < 2000/mm³, platelets < 100,000/mm³, or ALT/AST > 3× ULN, per prescribing guidance. ACTEMRA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to ACTEMRA.
ACTEMRA [package insert]. South San Francisco, CA: Genentech, Inc.
ACTEMRA [package insert]. South San Francisco, CA: Genentech, Inc.
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Data on file. Clinical Study Report. Genentech, Inc.
Data on file. Clinical Study Report. Genentech, Inc.
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Data on file. LITHE Clinical Study Report. Genentech, Inc.
Data on file. LITHE Clinical Study Report. Genentech, Inc.
Data on file. ACTEMRA Studies Matrix. Genentech, Inc.
Data on file. ACTEMRA Studies Matrix. Genentech, Inc.
Data on file. PBRER Core Report. Genentech, Inc.
Data on file. PBRER Core Report. Genentech, Inc.
Data on file, Genentech, Inc.
Data on file, Genentech, Inc.
Genentech Analysis of Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT) Data.
Genentech Analysis of Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT) Data.
HUMIRA [package insert]. North Chicago, IL; AbbVie Inc.
HUMIRA [package insert]. North Chicago, IL; AbbVie Inc.
Data on file. RADIATE CSR. Genentech, Inc.
Data on file. RADIATE CSR. Genentech, Inc.
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