A Case Report on Adult-Onset Still’s Disease Successfully Treated With Tocilizumab: A Brief Review on its Safety and Efficacy

Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a rare autoimmune disease of unknown etiology with systemic inflammatory manifestations consisting of a triad of fevers, evanescent skin rash, and arthritis. Although steroids are the first line of therapy, about 20%-30% of patients are refractory, intolerant, and or relapse during tapering or upon discontinuation of steroids. There are no clinical guidelines in treating such patients and treatment in these patients is challenging. Previously used biological agents have limited efficacy and hence there is a need for new therapies. Tocilizumab (TCZ), an interleukin (IL)-6 receptor antibody has been used with a clinical benefit and has shown to decrease the dose of steroids in patients with adult-onset still disease. The aim of this case report is to highlight the use of tocilizumab in relapsing and steroid intolerant cases of AOSD. The use of this drug in patients with AOSD is currently off-label. Randomized control studies can provide additional information that offers better visibility in treating AOSD patients who are steroid-resistant or intolerant. The rarity of disease possesses additional challenges in conducting these studies.