Authors' objectives: To assess the available evidence on the efficacy, safety and coverage related aspects regarding the use of tocilizumab in patients with RA.

Authors' recommendations: There is high quality methodological evidence on the efficacy of tocilizumab therapy in patients with moderate to severe RA, however, there is not adequate evidence on its efficacy compared to other biological agents. Only one comparative study showed that in patients who cannot receive methotrexate, tocilizumab is clinically and statistically more efficacious as monotherapy when compared with adalimumab monotherapy, however, there are no other RCTs assessing its efficacy versus other biological agents, and studies based on indirect comparisons suggest that it is similar to etanercept. Some international guidelines consider its use as another alternative in case of inadequate response to DMARDs, other guidelines only consider it in case of anti-TNF or biological agent failure. In view of this, the decision regarding coverage will depend on the relative cost of tocilizumab versus the other therapies.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: https://www.iecs.org.ar/home-ets/?cod_publicacion=1568&familia=5&origen_publicacion=buscador

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Argentina

Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy

Contact Address: Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA

Contact Name: info@iecs.org.ar

Contact Email: info@iecs.org.ar

Copyright: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)