Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presented an increase cardiovascular risk and, although alterations of LDL and HDL lipoproteins only partially explain it. Tocilizumab has been associated with increase in lipids, including triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tocilizumab on HDL and LDL characteristics at baseline and 3 months after the start of treatment in patients with RA.

Tocilizumab reduced inflammatory state and displayed positive effects on certain lipoprotein-related parameters, such as a potent decrease in Lp(a) and a reduction in OxLDL levels and maintained the capacity of total HDL and HDL3c to promote cellular cholesterol efflux.