Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in polyarteritis nodosa and adenosine deaminase 2 deficiency: a systematic literature review
Authors' conclusion
Tocilizumab appeared to be a promising and safe option for paediatric and adult PAN patients as a salvage therapy for those who did not respond to conventional and biologic immunosuppressive therapies. However, in patients with DADA 2, tocilizumab showed limited effectiveness and it generally performed worse than anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha agents in most cases.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) and DADA 2 treated with tocilizumab, often refractory cases28 studies
- Participants
- 29 vs 15
- Comparison
- PAN vs DADA 2
- PANn = 29
- DADA 2n = 15
- Outcome
- Effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Response to tocilizumab
| Group | Value | No response | Discontinued for adverse effects before evaluation | Partial response | Not assessable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAN | 22 events | 5 | 2 | ||
| DADA 2 | 2 events | 9 | 2 | 2 |
Value
PAN22 events
DADA 22 events
No response
PAN5
DADA 29
Discontinued for adverse effects before evaluation
PAN2
DADA 2— not stated in the abstract
Partial response
PAN— not stated in the abstract
DADA 22
Not assessable
PAN— not stated in the abstract
DADA 22
Further findings
- Switch to anti-TNF therapy (DADA 2)
- 10 · events
Safety
- Ischaemic vascular events on tocilizumab (DADA 2)
- 3 · events
- Discontinuation due to adverse effects (PAN)
- 2 · events
Side effects
- Infections, cytopenias and hyperlipidemia, consistent with tocilizumab in other rheumatic diseases
Original publication
Efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in polyarteritis nodosa and adenosine deaminase 2 deficiency: a systematic literature review. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Published 13 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →