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 . 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. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody against human IL-6 receptor is administered in a dose of 8-12 mg/kg body weight. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody against human IL-6 receptor is administered once every two weeks. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody against IL-6 receptor is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody against IL-6 receptor is recombinant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the monoclonal antibody against IL-6 receptor is the PM-1 antibody (FERM BP-2998) or a humanized or chimeric version thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein treatment further comprises administration of one or more of methotrexate, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), or a corticosteroid.