A Trial of Tocilizumab in ALS Subjects

Summary

This research study is being done to find out if tocilizumab, also known as Actemra™, can help with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The investigators also want to find out if tocilizumab is safe to take without causing too many side effects. Currently ALS has no cure and 2 modestly effective treatment to slow the progression of the disease. Although not the initial cause of ALS, the immune system plays a role in the death of motor neurons. The immune cells that participate in this process are stimulated by a substance called interleukin-6 (IL-6) whose effect is blocked by tocilizumab and thus, may slow the death of motor neurons and slow the disease.

Timeline

Start

2015-11

Primary completion

2018-07-11

Completion

2018-07-11

Publications

• Milligan C, Atassi N, Babu S, Barohn RJ, Caress JB, Cudkowicz ME, Evora A, Hawkins GA, Wosiski-Kuhn M, Macklin EA, Shefner JM, Simmons Z, Bowser RP, Ladha SS. Tocilizumab is safe and tolerable and reduces C-reactive protein concentrations in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of ALS patients. Muscle Nerve. 2021 Sep;64(3):309-320. doi: 10.1002/mus.27339. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

Drugs

Indications