To assess the utility of dose frequency adjustment of tocilizumab (TCZ) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Patients who received TCZ at 3-week (n = 24) or 5-week (n = 61) interval were evaluated.
Disease Activity Score at 28 joints based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the 3-week group significantly improved after 3 administrations at 3-week intervals (from 4.2 to 2.7, p = 0.001). Forty-five of the patients in the 5-week group (74%) successfully continued 5-week interval administration without disease exacerbation. Lower C-reactive protein level at TCZ initiation and shorter duration to remission achievement were key to successful dose frequency reduction.
Adjusting the dose frequency of intravenous TCZ is a useful strategy.