Successful rapid tocilizumab desensitization in a patient with Still disease

Abstract

Still disease is frequently refractory to standard therapy. Tocilizumab, an anti–IL-6 receptor antibody, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in a series of Still disease.1 We report the case of a 16-year-old girl admitted to our department for the treatment of a refractory Still disease with pulmonary involvement. In 2009, the patient was evaluated for the abrupt onset of fever, arthritis, pharyngitis, and a maculopapular rash with hepatosplenomegaly and diffuse adenopathy. Results of blood tests revealed an increased blood ferritin concentration with an increased glycosylated fraction of ferritin.