Single-center phase 1 study of tocilizumab in combination with standard induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia

In AML, interleukine-6 (IL-6) promotes chemoresistance, and its levels correlate with poor prognosis. The phase 1 TOCILAM study, at the University of Nantes (France) evaluated the anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody tocilizumab in combination with standard intensive induction chemotherapy for AML. The combination was safe and resulted in response in nine of ten patients and in encouraging survival outcomes. The authors conclude that the combination deserves further study in phase 2 and 3 trials.