Immunomodulatory effects of TCZ or IFX therapy on serum cytokine concentrations, which were evaluated at baseline and at 4 weeks after biologics. Statistical significance of the differences in measurements between baseline and post-treatment was determined using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (p < 0.05; data shown in bold type). Values are mean ± SD pg/ml.
| TCZ Therapy | ||||
| Baseline | Post-therapy | p | ||
| IL-1ß | 12.0 ± 18.5 | 8.58 ± 12.7 | 0.063 | |
| IL-2 | 41.1 ± 105 | 25.0 ± 60.8 | 0.046 | Decrease |
| IL-6 | 50.7 ± 95.1 | 111 ± 122 | < 0.0001 | Increase |
| IL-17A | ND | 6.52 ± 26.1 | 0.500 | |
| IL-17F | 7,028 ± 13,529 | 6,609 ± 11,584 | 0.961 | |
| IFN-α | 8.22 ± 13.4 | 6.97 ± 11.3 | 0.329 | |
| TNF-α | 31.5 ± 56.3 | 22.8 ± 43.2 | 0.002 | Decrease |
| IFX Therapy | ||||
| Baseline | Post-therapy | p | ||
| IL-1ß | 9.20 ± 13.6 | 7.71 ± 17.4 | 0.854 | |
| IL-2 | 23.5 ± 27.5 | 9.96 ± 14.7 | 0.002 | Decrease |
| IL-6 | 58.2 ± 93.1 | 15.2 ± 21.1 | < 0.0001 | Decrease |
| IL-17A | 44.0 ± 114 | 8.96 ± 29.6 | 0.195 | |
| IL-17F | 11,548 ± 21,999 | 7,449 ± 12,857 | 0.034 | Decrease |
| IFN-α | 15.9 ± 18.1 | 14.1 ± 18.3 | 0.173 | |
| TNF-α | 10.3 ± 20.5 | 7.05 ± 14.1 | 0.062 | |
ND: not detectable; TCZ: tocilizumab; IFX: infliximab; IL: interleukin; IFN: interferon; TNF: tumor necrosis factor.