AMCO

Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine central to inflammation, infection, and tumor microenvironment regulation. Dysregulated IL-6 signaling contributes to tumor growth, immune evasion, and resistance to therapy. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), was initially approved for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders due to its potent anti-inflammatory effects. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have revealed that IL-6 plays a crucial role in cancer biology, and blocking its pathway may have therapeutic potential in oncology. This review summarizes the current understanding of IL-6 mechanisms in cancer progression and evaluates tocilizumab’s mechanism of action, pharmacologic profile, and safety in both inflammatory and oncologic contexts. Data from emerging studies suggest that tocilizumab not only mitigates cytokine release syndrome (CRS) associated with immunotherapies such as CAR-T cell treatment but also exerts direct inhibitory effects on the tumor microenvironment by reducing pro-tumorigenic cytokine signaling and enhancing the efficacy of concurrent anticancer therapies. Despite these promising findings, several challenges remain, including determining optimal dosing strategies, identifying responsive tumor types, and assessing the long-term impact of IL-6 inhibition on immune surveillance and tumor recurrence. Tocilizumab’s expanding role in cancer therapy underscores the growing importance of targeting immune-modulatory pathways in oncology. Future investigations should focus on refining its integration into multimodal cancer treatment strategies and elucidating its synergistic potential with emerging immunotherapeutic and targeted agents.