Therapeutic agent for chronic arthritides diseases of childhood-related diseases

Abstract

A therapeutic agent for chronic arthritides diseases of childhood-related diseases, for example chronic arthritides diseases of childhood, Still's disease and the like, comprising an interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonist as an active ingredient.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for treatment of adult-onset Sill's disease, comprising administering a subcutaneous injection of an antibody against human IL-6 receptor to a human patient who needs said treatment, wherein the antibody against the IL-6 receptor is an antibody which inhibits binding of IL-6 to the IL-6 receptor by binding to the IL-6 receptor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the antibody against IL-6 receptor is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the antibody against L-6 receptor is recombinant. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the monoclonal antibody against IL-6 receptor is the PM-1 antibody (FERM BP-2998) or a humanized or chimeric version thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein treatment further comprises administration of methotrexate, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or corticosteroids. 
     
     
         21 . A method for treatment of systemic-onset type juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, comprising administering an intravenous injection of an antibody against human IL-6 receptor to a human patient who needs said treatment, wherein the antibody against the IL-6 receptor is an antibody which inhibits binding of IL-6 to the IL-6 receptor by binding to the IL-6 receptor, wherein the antibody against human IL-6 receptor is administered in a dose of 1-20 mg/kg body weight. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody against human IL-6 receptor is administered in a dose of 8-12 mg/kg body weight. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody against human IL-6 receptor is administered once every two weeks. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody against IL-6 receptor is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody against IL-6 receptor is recombinant. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the monoclonal antibody against IL-6 receptor is the PM-1 antibody (FERM BP-2998) or a humanized or chimeric version thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein treatment further comprises administration of one or more of methotrexate, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), or a corticosteroid.