A Comparative Study of the Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effect of the Anti-Angiogenic Ranibizumab and IL-6R Antagonist Tocilizumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis Model

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, destructive autoimmune inflammatory disease that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks the synovium of joints. Although the main causes of RA are still unknown, the immune system is involved in RA pathogenesis. It starts with joint swelling, stiffness and pain due to synovial hyperplasia and synovitis with neovascularization. The late stage of RA involves joint destruction which affects the quality of human life. Concerning RA management, MTX has long been regarded as the standard “anchor” DMARD. However, tremendous efforts have been directed towards adopting targeted biologics to reduce joint destruction and preserve function in RA patients especially those intolerant and insensitive to DMARDs. The present study was designed to  Study the comparative effect of both RANI and TCZ against MTX in RA model where RANI was used for the first time in RA treatment.  Study the experimental assessment of TCZ as a monotherapy and as co-therapy with MTX because only few number of studies examined the effect of TCZ and there is also no experimental investigat