Specific inhibition of IL-6 receptor attenuates inflammatory bone loss in experimental periodontitis.

Background: Periodontal pathogenesis takes into consideration that disease results from a complex inflammatory immune response. Among the major cytokines related to periodontal damage, interleukin (IL)-6 enhances a cascade of tissue destruction. Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a humanized monoclonal anti-human IL-6 receptor that inhibits IL-6-mediated proinflammatory activity.

Clinical attachment loss and molecular profile of inflamed sites before treatment.

Objective: To monitor early periodontal disease progression and to investigate clinical and molecular profile of inflamed sites by means of crevicular fluid and gingival biopsy analysis.

Methodology: Eighty-one samples of twenty-seven periodontitis subjects and periodontally healthy individuals were collected for the study. Measurements of clinical parameters were recorded at day -15, baseline and 2 months after basic periodontal treatment aiming at monitoring early variations ofthe clinical attachment level.