European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2017
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffects of tocilizumab on neutrophil function and kinetics.
Decreases in circulating neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leucocytes, PMNs) have been reported in patients treated with the anti-interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody tocilizumab (TCZ); the mechanism for this is unclear. We hypothesize that TCZ reduces circulating neutrophils by affecting margination and/or bone marrow trafficking without affecting neutrophil function or apoptosis. ⋯ We have demonstrated for the first time in humans that IL-6R blockade affects neutrophil trafficking to the bone marrow without influencing neutrophil functional capacity.