Actemra
(ak-TEM-ruh)
A drug used to treat adults and children aged 2 years and older with severe or life-threatening cytokine release syndrome caused by a type of immunotherapy called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Actemra is also used to treat certain types of arthritis and a condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the arteries. It is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions. Actemra binds to receptors for a protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is made by white blood cells and other cells in the body. This may help lower the body’s immune response and reduce inflammation. Actemra is a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called tocilizumab.