The combination of IL-6 and its soluble receptor is associated with the response of rheumatoid arthritis patients to tocilizumab.

Background: IL-6 contributes significantly to the chronic inflammatory process of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Tocilizumab, a humanized anti-human IL-6 receptor antibody that blocks the signaling originated by the IL-6/IL-6R complex, is an effective treatment. However, predictors of the response to tocilizumab are still required.