tocilizumab + peginterferon alfa-2b + carboplatin + pegylated liposomal doxorubicin

This investigational chemo-immunotherapy regimen, developed by Leiden University Medical Center, is designed for the treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. The combination integrates tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), with peginterferon alfa-2b (Peg-Intron) and standard carboplatin-based chemotherapy (typically paired with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin or doxorubicin). The therapeutic rationale centers on the observation that high IL-6 levels in the ovarian tumor microenvironment drive chemoresistance and suppress dendritic cell maturation. By inhibiting IL-6 signaling, tocilizumab aims to sensitize tumor cells to chemotherapy and, in synergy with peginterferon alfa-2b, promote a robust anti-tumor immune response through enhanced dendritic cell maturation and immunogenic cell death. The regimen was evaluated in the Phase I/II PITCH trial, which demonstrated feasibility and favorable immune modulation.

Other names

tocilizumab + interferon alpha 2-bPITCH regimentocilizumab + peginterferon alfa-2b + carboplatin + doxorubicin