Tocilizumab for refractory morphea in adults: A case series

Abstract

Morphea is a chronic, autoimmune disease causing cutaneous sclerosis with the potential for substantial morbidity, functional limitation, and permanent disfigurement. Although topical treatments are often utilized as first-line therapy for focal plaque disease, more severe variants and refractory disease require systemic immunosuppressive and/or immunomodulatory therapy. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody to the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, may have a role in treatment as IL-6 is thought to contribute to fibrosis in morphea.

Topics & Concepts