Sarilumab

Abstract

Sarilumab (KEVZARA®, Sanofi/Regeneron) was approved by the European commission in June of 2017. Sarilumab is indicated in combination with methotrexate (MTX) for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with inadequate response or intolerance to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). It can also be used as monotherapy if the patient does not tolerate MTX or when treatment with MTX is inappropriate. Sarilumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody which binds with high affinity to soluble and membrane-bound IL-6 receptors. By binding to these receptors sarilumab prevents the inflammatory effects of IL-6 and inhibits IL-6 receptor signaling. Clinical trials showed clinically relevant improvements in patients with RA. At week 24 of the studies higher ACR20, ACR50 und ACR70 responses were observed in patients treated with sarilumab + MTX or a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) compared to placebo + MTX or DMARD.