Levilimab – an advanced solution for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Andriyashkina D.Yu., Kondrashov A.A., Klimenko A.A.

1) Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University), Department of Faculty Therapy named after Academician A.I. Nesterov, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Moscow, Russia; 2) Pirogov City Clinical Hospital No. 1, Moscow, Russia

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic immune-mediated inflammatory disease whose primary manifestation is chronic erosive arthritis. Despite significant advances in the study of RA pathophysiology, the genesis of the disease remains unclear. Proinflammatory cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, play a significant role in the pathogenesis and maintenance of the inflammatory process in RA. The natural history of RA is characterized by the development of joint deformities, persistent disability, and reduced life expectancy due to the multiorgan nature of the disease, increased cardiovascular risk, pulmonary complications, infections, iatrogenic effects, and cancer. Current RA management strategies, based on early diagnosis and the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to achieve remission, improve clinical prognosis. Given the central role of IL-6 in the development of both local and systemic manifestations of RA, IL-6 receptor inhibitors are of particular therapeutic interest. A promising representative of this pharmacological group is levilimab, a recombinant monoclonal antibody of the immunoglobulin G1 subclass directed against the IL-6 receptor, which effectively binds and blocks both the soluble and membrane-bound forms of the receptor. Clinical trial results demonstrate not only the high therapeutic efficacy and favorable safety profile of levilimab but also highlight its particular value as a treatment optimization tool, enabling dosage reduction or complete discontinuation of glucocorticoid therapy.

For citations: Andriyashkina D.Yu., Kondrashov A.A., Klimenko A.A. Levilimab – an advanced solution for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Pharmateca. 2026;33(1):56-64. (In Russ.). DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/pharmateca.2026.1.56-64

Authors’ contribution: D.Yu. Andriyashkina – literature search and analysis, article writing. A.A. Kondrashov – literature search and analysis, article writing. A.A. Klimenko – article design, editing, and final approval of the manuscript.
Conflicts of interest: The authors confirm that they have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding: The study was conducted without any sponsorship.

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About the Authors

Daria Yu. Andriyashkina, Cand. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Department of Faculty Therapy named after Academician A.I. Nesterov, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University), Moscow, Russia; andryashkina.darya@yandex.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8266-6022; eLibrary SPIN: 1804-1274 (corresponding author)
Artem A. Kondrashov, Cand. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Department of Faculty Therapy named after Academician A.I. Nesterov, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University), Moscow, Russia
Alesya A. Klimenko, Cand. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Faculty Therapy named after Academician A.I. Nesterov, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University); Pirogov City Clinical Hospital No. 1, Moscow, Russia

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