Efficacy and safety of sarilumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.

The mainstay of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment involves the use of medications that slow disease progression and reduce inflammation. Inadequate treatment responses and intolerances to conventional RA treatment have led to the development of biologic agents for the management of moderate-to-severe disease activity. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibition is one of the targets for biologic activity in RA treatment. IL-6 is found in excess in the synovial fluid and contributes to joint erosion through its action on osteoclast cells. Sarilumab is a new IL-6 inhibitor indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe RA as monotherapy or in combination with conventional therapies in patients with an inadequate response to previous RA treatment.