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I just started Actemra infusions and am quite hopeful after getting more information about the drug online. I was curious about how it differs from Kevzara since both target the same IL-6 pathway in the immune system. Kevzara is a human monoclonal antibody while Actemra is a recombinant monoclonal antibody. Basically that means that the genetic material in Actemra has been manipulated in a lab to make it more effective. Looking at the clinical trials of both, 28% of PMR patients on Kevzara were off prednisone and had no symptoms after a year. 56% of GCA patients taking Actemra were free of symptoms and off prednisone after a year. I read that in England the National Health Service only allows GCA patients a year on Actemra due to cost. After that year about 50% are OK without it. The odds look better with Actemra than with Kevzara. I did the Kevzara shots for 8 months and they helped but I could not get below 5 mg of prednisone. Of course this is a very simplified view I'm presenting and doesn't take into consideration the possible side effects, etc.
Replies to "I just started Actemra infusions and am quite hopeful after getting more information about the drug..."
"Recombinant monoclonal antibody" technology is way over my head. I was told Actemra was derived from the blood of a mouse. That made me think Actemra wasn't a good idea but I got over it. Actemra works extremely well for me with no discernible side effects.
https://www.biointron.com/blog/what-are-recombinant-monoclonal-antibodies-a-biotech-primer.html#:~:text=DOI%3A%2010.1533%2F9781908818041.357,agents%20to%20target%20an%20antigen.
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Unlike the good people in the UK, I have used Actemra for 6 years to treat PMR. My symptoms return when I don't do my monthly infusion. My rheumatologist has no plan to stop my Actemra infusions unless Actemra stops working. At this stage, my rheumatologist said something about "immune system memory" and it is unlikely that my autoimmune conditions will ever go away.
Some of my Prednisone side effects have improved but not all of them. My rheumatologist doesn't think Prednisone is good for me anymore. He says Actemra is better for me. I would wholeheartedly agree!
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Don't forget there are now 3 biosimilars to Actemra.
The FDA has approved three biosimilars to Actemra (tocilizumab):
Tofidence, Tyenne, and Avtozma.
I almost forgot ...A new medication, upadacitinib (Rinvoq), has been approved in 2025 by the FDA for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in adults. It's an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor.