LCMS™ Bioanalysis of Antibody Drugs Using Fab- Selective Proteolysis nSMOL - Part 7 - Tocilizumab Analysis -

Introduction

Tocilizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against the human interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor and may block the IL-6 signaling. IL-6 was identified in 1980’s and recent studies have shown that it plays a role in inflammatory immune reactions and that it possesses a wide variety of physiological activities. In autoimmune inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Castleman’s disease, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, it is known that dysregulated production of IL-6 induces an out-of-control response leading to several immune disorders. Tocilizumab helps to control the rare diseases that have been designated as intractable by blocking and inhibiting inflammatory induction due to the dysregulated production of IL-6. Additionally, the recent evidence suggests that tocilizumab may be highly effective in the treatment of other diseases where IL-6 is involved in their pathogenesis. Therefore, this antibody is a promising option for treating cases of acute inflammation, such as the severe pneumonia associated with COVID-19 that is having a global impact.

November 20, 2020 GMT