Actemra SC (tocilizumab SC) / Roche, Halozyme - LARVOL DELTA

Subcutaneous Tocilizumab versus Abatacept in Rheumatoid Arthritis with inadequate response to TNFis: results of the SUNSTAR head-to-head, multicentre, open-label, randomised superiority trial (ACR Convergence 2026) - No abstract available

Clinical • Head-to-Head • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology

Subcutaneous Tocilizumab in Thyroid Eye Disease: What Can Orbital Surgeons Learn From Borrowed Blueprints? (PubMed, Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg) - No abstract available

Journal • Ophthalmology • Thyroid Eye Disease

A Study of Baricitinib (LY3009104) in Participants From 1 Year to Less Than 18 Years Old With Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (sJIA) (clinicaltrials.gov) - P3 | N=58 | Active, not recruiting | Sponsor: Eli Lilly and Company | Recruiting ➔ Active, not recruiting

Enrollment closed • Idiopathic Arthritis • Immunology • Rheumatology

Tocilizumab in German patients with RA: real-world evidence from the noninterventional studies ARATA and ICHIBAN. (PubMed, EULAR Rheumatol Open) - "Our review article summarises evidence from the noninterventional studies rheumatoid arthritis in everyday clinical practice (ARATA) and rheumatoid arthritis (ICHIBAN), which investigated the treatment of up to 4464 German patients with active moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with the interleukin 6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab in its subcutaneous and intravenous application forms from 2010 to 2020. Subgroup analyses showed that tocilizumab was safe and effective in age, sex, and body mass index subgroups as well as in vulnerable patient populations with cardiovascular disease, renal impairment, and diabetes. Additionally, tocilizumab reduced RA-associated pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance in these patient subgroups."

HEOR • Journal • Observational data • Real-world evidence • Review • Cardiovascular • CNS Disorders • Diabetes • Fatigue • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Metabolic Disorders • Nephrology • Pain • Renal Disease • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology • Sleep Disorder

Eosinophilic Fasciitis: Experience at a tertiary care center and favorable response to tocilizumab in six refractory cases. (EULAR 2026) - "All patients received corticosteroids, with only two achieving sustained remission on prednisone alone. Most required methotrexate, and refractory cases were treated with hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine, or intravenous infliximab without efficacy. Six patients received subcutaneous tocilizumab with favorable responses...In our series, tocilizumab was associated with favorable outcomes in patients with eosinophilic fasciitis refractory to conventional therapy, adding six new cases to the limited evidence currently available in the literature. Although these findings suggest that tocilizumab may represent a valid therapeutic option in selected refractory cases, further studies are required to confirm its efficacy and safety and to better define standardized treatment approaches and reliable clinical and laboratory markers for diagnosis and response assessment."

Clinical • Eosinophilia • Hematological Malignancies • Infectious Disease • Monoclonal Gammopathy • Mood Disorders • Novel Coronavirus Disease • IL5

Subcutaneous tocilizumab in difficult-to-treat tophaceous gout refractory to anakinra: a real-world case series (EULAR 2026) - "All patients had received colchicine and systemic glucocorticoids (3/6 had prior NSAID treatment), and were treated with febuxostat at the maximal tolerated dose (mean 100±22 mg/d) and anakinra (100 mg/d; median 5 doses, range 2–9) with inadequate response. Conclusions In this small real-world series of highly refractory tophaceous gout with prior failure of anakinra, subcutaneous tocilizumab was associated with rapid clinical improvement, marked CRP reduction and preserved renal function. Although laboratory changes did not reach statistical significance, these findings support IL-6 blockade as a potential therapeutic option in selected D2T cases, warranting further investigation."

Clinical • Real-world • Real-world evidence • Cardiovascular • Chronic Kidney Disease • Diabetes • Diabetic Nephropathy • Dyslipidemia • Gout • Hematological Disorders • Hypertension • Infectious Disease • Inflammatory Arthritis • Metabolic Disorders • Nephrology • Neutropenia • Renal Disease • Rheumatology

Subcutaneous tocilizumab versus abatacept in rheumatoid arthritis with inadequate response to one or two prior b/tsDMARDs: results of the SUNSTAR head-to-head, multicentre, open-label, randomised superiority trial (EULAR 2026) - "Methods In this 52-week, multicentre, open-label, randomised superiority trial, adults with active RA and an inadequate response to one or two prior b/tsDMARDs (TNFi, JAK inhibitors, or rituximab) were randomised 1:1 to receive SC tocilizumab or abatacept, stratified by concomitant methotrexate (MTX) use [4]...The key secondary endpoint at week 26 was a composite response defined as treatment persistence, CDAI ≤10, prednisone <10 mg/day, and no intra-articular glucocorticoid injections...Conclusions In this head-to-head trial of two non-TNFi bDMARDs, superiority of tocilizumab over abatacept for improvement in disease activity at week 26 was not demonstrated. However, the composite treatment response, incorporating treatment persistence and low disease activity, was significantly higher with tocilizumab, as was the CDAI change from baseline in the PP population."

Clinical • Head-to-Head • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology

TAFRO syndrome complicating Sjögren's disease: response to subcutaneous tocilizumab. (PubMed, Clin Rheumatol) - "Given the suspicion of TAFRO syndrome associated with a systemic inflammatory response, weekly subcutaneous tocilizumab was initiated, resulting in rapid improvement in her overall condition, resolution of anasarca, and complete recovery of renal function. This case highlights the rare overlap between TAFRO syndrome and Sjögren's disease, in which IL-6 activation plays a central role. The favorable response to IL-6 blockade emphasizes the importance of early recognition of this association and consideration of targeted therapies for refractory hyperinflammation."

Journal • Review • Acute Kidney Injury • Fibrosis • Hematological Disorders • Immunology • Inflammation • Nephrology • Renal Disease • Sjogren's Syndrome • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome • Thrombocytopenia

Effective interleukin-6 inhibition in a pediatric patient with mevalonate kinase deficiency and chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis-like bone lesions under interleukin-1 blockade. (PubMed, Turk J Pediatr) - "This case highlights the potential role of IL-6 inhibition in complicated MKD presenting with autoinflammatory bone disease refractory to standard therapies."

Journal • Immunology • Inflammation • Musculoskeletal Diseases • Musculoskeletal Pain • Orthopedics • Pain • Pancreatitis • Pediatrics • Vasculitis • IL6

Giant Cell Arteritis with Scalp and Tongue Necrosis: a Rare Case of Extensive Mucocutaneous Ischemia (CRA-AHPA 2026) - "High-dose prednisone (50 mg daily) was initiated, followed by tocilizumab 162 mg subcutaneously weekly as a steroid-sparing agent. This case highlights the importance of promptly recognizing atypical GCA presentations, such as scalp and tongue necrosis, which are linked to delayed diagnosis and increased morbidity. Early initiation of corticosteroids with adjunctive tocilizumab led to rapid recovery and prevention of complications in our patient. Notably, his 60-pack-year smoking history raises the possibility that heavy, long-term smoking may predispose to more severe or necrotizing forms of GCA."

Clinical • Cardiovascular • Giant Cell Arteritis • Hypertension • Immunology • Inflammation • Musculoskeletal Pain • Vasculitis

Effective Use of Subcutaneous Tocilizumab in a Case of Castleman Disease Progressing From Unicentric to Multicentric Form. (PubMed, J Paediatr Child Health) - No abstract available

Journal • Rare Diseases

Efficacy and safety of filgotinib versus tocilizumab in active rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized, open-label, multicenter study with clinical and musculoskeletal ultrasound evaluation (TRANSFORM study). (PubMed, Drug Discov Ther) - P3 | "We conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label trial at 55 centers in Japan, randomizing patients with active RA despite csDMARD therapy in a 1:1 ratio to receive 200 mg/day filgotinib or subcutaneous tocilizumab as monotherapy; the primary endpoint was American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 50 at week 12, and secondary endpoints included clinical disease activity indices, musculoskeletal ultrasonography scores, patient-reported outcomes, and serum biomarkers through 52 weeks. Because this study was underpowered and the analysis was descriptive, larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and define optimal use. (The study was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (https://jrct.niph.go.jp) as jRCTs071200107 and in ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05090410.)."

Clinical • Journal • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Inflammatory Arthritis • Musculoskeletal Diseases • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology • IL6

TOCIAION: Efficacy of Tocilizumab for the Treatment of Acute AION Related to GCA (clinicaltrials.gov) - P2 | N=58 | Completed | Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts | Not yet recruiting ➔ Completed

Trial completion • Giant Cell Arteritis • Immunology • Ocular Inflammation • Ophthalmology • Optic Neuritis • Pain • CRP

MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES IN MEDULLARY SPONGE KIDNEY COMPLICATED BY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS: A CASE REPORT (ISN-WCN 2026) - "Management becomes challenging when immunosuppression, antimicrobial resistance, and drug allergies limit therapeutic options.Methods A woman in her 60s with rheumatoid arthritis, controlled on sulfasalazine 1,000 mg/day and subcutaneous tocilizumab 162 mg every 2 weeks, was diagnosed with MSK in her 40s after pyelonephritis and diffuse medullary calcifications on non-contrast CT...Urine cultures repeatedly yielded multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli resistant to ampicillin, levofloxacin, and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole...Joint symptoms remained under control following the single tocilizumab dose.Conclusion In cases of MSK complicated by immunosuppression, recurrent UTIs may require tailored, stepwise regimens and careful antimicrobial stewardship when resistance and allergies constrain options. A strategic selection and sequencing of agents, including cephalexin (dosage adjusted for body weight), gentamicin, and fosfomycin calcium 9 g/day, was instrumental in..."

Case report • Clinical • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Inflammatory Arthritis • Musculoskeletal Pain • Nephrology • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology

REPAIR: Filling Bone Erosions: a Longitudinal Multicentric HR-pQCT Study of Subcutaneous Tocilizumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=60 | Recruiting | Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans | Not yet recruiting ➔ Recruiting

Enrollment open • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology

REPAIR: Filling Bone Erosions: a Longitudinal Multicentric HR-pQCT Study of Subcutaneous Tocilizumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=60 | Recruiting | Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans | Trial completion date: Jun 2020 ➔ Jun 2021 | Trial primary completion date: Jun 2020 ➔ Jun 2021

Trial completion date • Trial primary completion date • Immunology • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology

REPAIR: Filling Bone Erosions: a Longitudinal Multicentric HR-pQCT Study of Subcutaneous Tocilizumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=60 | Completed | Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans | Recruiting ➔ Completed

Trial completion • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology

REPAIR: Filling Bone Erosions: a Longitudinal Multicentric HR-pQCT Study of Subcutaneous Tocilizumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=60 | Recruiting | Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans | Trial completion date: Jun 2021 ➔ Jun 2023 | Trial primary completion date: Jun 2021 ➔ Jun 2023

Trial completion date • Trial primary completion date • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology

REPAIR: Filling Bone Erosions: a Longitudinal Multicentric HR-pQCT Study of Subcutaneous Tocilizumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=60 | Recruiting | Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans | Trial completion date: Jun 2023 ➔ Jun 2025 | Trial primary completion date: Jun 2023 ➔ Jun 2025

Trial completion date • Trial primary completion date • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology

REPAIR: Filling Bone Erosions: a Longitudinal Multicentric HR-pQCT Study of Subcutaneous Tocilizumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=60 | Not yet recruiting | Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans

New P4 trial • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology

REPAIR: Filling Bone Erosions: a Longitudinal Multicentric HR-pQCT Study of Subcutaneous Tocilizumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=60 | Recruiting | Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans | Trial primary completion date: May 2018 ➔ Jun 2019

Trial primary completion date • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology

Analysis of the Dynamics of Clinical Parameters and Serum Angiogenic Factors in Systemic Sclerosis Patients Undergoing Tocilizumab Treatment. (PubMed, Exp Dermatol) - "Furthermore, the decrease in serum VEGF-A levels was robustly associated with improvements in pulmonary function test results. Our results collectively suggest that TCZ treatment is associated with changes in systemic vascular abnormalities and angiogenic factor profiles in SSc, which are critically involved in the pathophysiology of SSc-associated interstitial lung disease."

Journal • Fibrosis • Immunology • Interstitial Lung Disease • Pulmonary Disease • Respiratory Diseases • Scleroderma • Systemic Sclerosis • CD31 • HGF

A Study of Baricitinib (LY3009104) in Participants From 1 Year to Less Than 18 Years Old With Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (sJIA) (clinicaltrials.gov) - P3 | N=58 | Recruiting | Sponsor: Eli Lilly and Company | Trial completion date: May 2026 ➔ Sep 2026 | Trial primary completion date: Apr 2026 ➔ Sep 2026

Trial completion date • Trial primary completion date • Idiopathic Arthritis • Immunology • Rheumatology

Overseas sales (Chugai Press Release) - "Overseas sales amounted to ¥605.4 billion (an increase of 12.8% year on year). In terms of exports to Roche, sales of Hemlibra and Actemra (a humanized anti-human IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody) grew from the same period of the previous fiscal year. Meanwhile, compared to the full year forecast announced on January 30, 2025, overseas sales increased by 9.0% to ¥605.4 billion, due to the increase in exports of Actemra and Hemlibra to Roche and other factors."

Commercial • Giant Cell Arteritis • Hemophilia A • Idiopathic Arthritis • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Systemic Sclerosis

Forecast assumptions for the next fiscal year (FY2026) (Chugai Press Release) - "Revenue is expected to increase to ¥1,345.0 billion (an increase of 6.9% year on year). Overseas sales are expected to be at levels similar to the same period of the previous fiscal year at ¥602.0 billion (a decrease of 0.6% year on year), due to factors such as a decrease in Actemra despite the growth in sales of NEMLUVIO and Hemlibra."

Sales projection • Atopic Dermatitis • Giant Cell Arteritis • Hemophilia A • Prurigo Nodularis • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Systemic Sclerosis