Sarilumab
KevzaraRCSB PDB 8IOW · 3D model
Drag to rotate. Scroll or pinch to zoom.
A lab-made antibody that blocks the IL-6 signal, a key driver of inflammation in autoimmune disease.
How it works
Your immune system uses a messenger molecule called IL-6 to trigger inflammation, and in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, too much IL-6 activity keeps joints swollen and painful. Sarilumab is an antibody engineered to attach to the IL-6 docking station on cells, so IL-6 can no longer deliver its inflammatory signal. Patients often see markers of inflammation in their blood drop within a couple of weeks of starting treatment.
What it’s used for
Approved for adults with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis who haven't responded well to standard arthritis drugs, for adults with polymyalgia rheumatica who can't rely on steroids alone, and for larger children and teens with a widespread form of juvenile arthritis.
- Mechanism
- IL-6 receptor antagonist (mAb)
- Drug class
- Monoclonal antibody
- Therapeutic area
- Immunology