Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42768705›Full record

ArticlePharmacology research & perspectives2026

Drug-Induced Liver Injury During Treatment With Tocilizumab: A Case Report of an Atypical Pattern Lesion.

Louis-Edmond Barbaro, Nouha Ben Othman, Delphine Viard, Fanny Rocher, Elliot Ewig, Raja Mroue, Claire Amigues, Alexandre O Gérard

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In one paragraph

Article in Pharmacology research & perspectives, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Louis-Edmond BarbaroDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Université Côte d'Azur, University Hospital Centre of Nice, Nice, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3179-2058
Nouha Ben OthmanDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Université Côte d'Azur, University Hospital Centre of Nice, Nice, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9346-5020
Delphine ViardDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Université Côte d'Azur, University Hospital Centre of Nice, Nice, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6140-4664
Fanny RocherDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Université Côte d'Azur, University Hospital Centre of Nice, Nice, France.
Elliot EwigDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Université Côte d'Azur, University Hospital Centre of Nice, Nice, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6519-7756
Raja MroueDepartment of Gastro-Enterology, Université Côte d'Azur, University Hospital Centre of Nice, Nice, France.
Claire AmiguesDepartment of Rheumatology, Université Côte d'Azur, University Hospital Centre of Nice, Nice, France.
Alexandre O GérardDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Université Côte d'Azur, University Hospital Centre of Nice, Nice, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6591-6966

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Tocilizumab is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist indicated for various rheumatologic conditions. While hepatotoxicity is a recognized adverse effect, it predominantly manifests as hepatocellular injury. We report a rare case of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) presenting with a cholestatic pattern and cholangitis features in a 75-year-old patient treated for giant cell arteritis. Following the third tocilizumab infusion, the patient developed jaundice and abdominal pain. Laboratory investigations revealed a cholestatic pattern of liver injury (ALT/ALP (R) ratio ≤ 2) with marked cholestasis. Imaging findings raised suspicion for cholangitis. After ruling out infectious, autoimmune, and metabolic aetiologies, a liver biopsy confirmed neutrophilic cholangitis and marked intrahepatic and sinusoidal cholestasis. Drug discontinuation, along with ursodeoxycholic acid treatment, led to clinical and biochemical resolution. This case is notable as tocilizumab-induced liver injury rarely presents with cholangitic features. The pathophysiology may involve the disruption of IL-6 signaling, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining biliary epithelial integrity. Clinicians should be vigilant for this atypical cholestatic presentation to ensure prompt drug withdrawal.

Indexed as

Antibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedChemical and Drug Induced Liver InjuryAgedCholangitisCholestasisGiant Cell ArteritisHumansInterleukin-6LiverMaleReceptors, Interleukin-6Ursodeoxycholic AcidAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedInterleukin-6Receptors, Interleukin-6tocilizumabUrsodeoxycholic Acidadverse drug reactiondrug‐induced liver‐injuryinterleukin‐6pharmacovigilancetocilizumab

Identifiers

PMID42768705
PMCPMC13594402

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.