AntiIL6

Anti-IL-6 refers to therapeutic agents—primarily monoclonal antibodies—that inhibit interleukin-6 signaling by neutralizing the IL-6 cytokine itself or by blocking the IL-6 receptor. IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in inflammation, immune maturation, and acute-phase responses. Inhibiting IL-6 signaling can reduce pathological inflammation in autoimmune diseases and in cytokine release syndromes.

Agents include siltuximab, an anti-IL-6 antibody, which neutralizes circulating IL-6; and tocilizumab and sarilumab, antibodies against the IL-6 receptor that prevent both membrane-bound and soluble IL-6 signaling. These drugs are typically administered by intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection, with dosing schedules ranging from every week to every four weeks depending on indication and product.

Approved or commonly used indications include rheumatoid arthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis; siltuximab is approved for multicentric Castleman disease; tocilizumab is also used for giant cell arteritis. In addition, anti-IL-6 agents have been used to manage cytokine release syndrome associated with immune therapies and have been studied for severe COVID-19 in certain clinical guidelines.

Adverse effects include increased risk of serious infections, liver enzyme elevations, lipid abnormalities, neutropenia, and gastrointestinal perforation risk in selected patients; vaccination status should be reviewed before initiation. Cautions include active infection and history of diverticulitis, among others. The development of anti-IL-6 therapies has contributed to targeted inflammation control while sparing broader immunosuppression.