Subcutaneous tocilizumab for active thyroid eye disease refractory to orbital radiation and systemic steroids in...

Tocilizumab (TCZ) through intravenous infusion has been shown to effectively treat active thyroid eye disease (TED) refractory to systemic steroids. TCZ is also available as a self-administered subcutaneous injection, but data demonstrating the efficacy of this formulation are limited. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous TCZ (SC-TCZ) for the treatment of active, moderate-to-severe TED in smokers.

This retrospective clinical case series evaluated the clinical outcomes and adverse effects of SC-TCZ when taken for a minimum of 4 months by patients with moderate-to-severe TED and a current or recent history of cigarette smoking.

Three patients received SC-TCZ every 1-2 weeks (4.6-11.2 mg/kg/month). The average pre-to-posttreatment clinical activity score reduction was 5.4, and proptosis was reduced by an average of 2.0 mm. No serious adverse effects were reported.

SC-TCZ may be a useful and effective therapy for treating challenging cases of inflammatory TED and offers a safe alternative to office or hospital-based infusions. Further studies are needed to better understand optimal dosing regimens and relative efficacy compared to monthly TCZ infusions and other immunotherapies.