In patients suffering from hand osteoarthritis, tocilizumab displayed similar efficacy compared to placebo for alleviating pain.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week trial was performed to investigate the efficacy of tocilizumab (an antibody against interleukin-6 receptor) in patients suffering from symptomatic hand osteoarthritis.

Overall, 104 patients were screened, and 91 were randomly allocated to receive two infusions of 8 mg/kg intravenous tocilizumab four weeks apart (weeks 0 and 4) (n=45) or placebo (n=46). Notably, 79 patients finished the 12-week trial visit. Alteration in the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain at week 6 was the primary outcome parameter. The secondary outcome parameters were: (1) Number of painful and swollen joints, (2) Duration of morning stiffness, (3) Patient's and physician's global assessment (4) Function scores. 

The mean change between baseline and week 6 in the VAS for pain was found to be similar for both tocilizumab and placebo groups, as depicted in the following table and figure:

SD: Standard deviation

At weeks 4, 6, 8, or 12, no vital differences in the secondary endpoints were noted between the groups.

The occurrence of adverse events was slightly more frequent in the tocilizumab (n=29, 69%) compared to the placebo group (n=22, 28.6%). Patients who were treated with tocilizumab did not witness considerably greater pain relief in comparison to those who were administered placebo. Targeting IL-6 signalling may not be effective to mitigate symptoms in hand osteoarthritis.

Tocilizumab did not considerably improve pain or function when compared to placebo in patients with hand osteoarthritis.