Feasibility of methotrexate discontinuation following tocilizumab and methotrexate combination therapy in patients with long-standing and advanced rheumatoid arthritis: a 3-year observational cohort study.

Objectives: Methotrexate (MTX) is associated with extensive side effects, including myelosuppression, interstitial pneumonia, and infection. It is, therefore, critical to establish whether its administration is required after achieving remission with tocilizumab (TCZ) and MTX combination therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, the aim of this multicenter, observational, cohort study was to evaluate the feasibility of MTX discontinuation for the safety of these patients.

Clinical and structural remission rates increased annually and radiographic progression was continuously inhibited during a 3-year administration of tocilizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A multi-center, prospective cohort study by the Michinoku Tocilizumab Study Group.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and structural efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ) during its long-term administration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: In total, 693 patients with RA who started TCZ therapy were followed for 3 years. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by DAS28-ESR and Boolean remission rates in 544 patients.

Analysis of kappa light chain contribution to anti-DNA antibody activity of a human VH4-21-encoded monoclonal antibody (NE-1) by antibody-phage display technique.

Although contribution of light chain to DNA reactivity of some murine anti-DNA antibodies (Abs) has been demonstrated, similar studies on human anti-DNA Abs are limited. To investigate this contribution, we reproduced Fab molecules on the surface of phages from a human B cell line producing IgM anti-DNA monoclonal Ab (NE-1) by an Ab-phage display technique. Expressed Fab molecules (p4-1 clone) were similar to the parental mAb in their binding activities and idiotypic expression.