tocilizumab + peginterferon alfa-2b

Tocilizumab + peginterferon alfa-2b is an investigational chemo-immunotherapy combination developed by Leiden University Medical Center for the treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The combination consists of tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), and peginterferon alfa-2b (Peg-Intron), a pegylated cytokine that enhances anti-tumor immunity. The rationale for this combination is that IL-6 is linked to chemoresistance and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer; blocking IL-6R while providing interferon-alpha stimulation is intended to restore dendritic cell maturation and improve T cell activation. In the Phase I PITCH trial (NCT01637532), the combination was administered alongside carboplatin-based chemotherapy and demonstrated feasibility, safety, and potential survival benefits.

Other names

tocilizumab + interferon alpha 2-btocilizumab + pegylated interferon alpha-2b