ANTAGONISTS OF IL-6 TO PREVENT OR TREAT CACHEXIA, WEAKNESS, FATIGUE, AND/OR FEVER

摘要

The present invention is directed to therapeutic methods and compositions, especially subcutaneous and intravenous composition using antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for IL-6 to prevent or treat cachexia, fever, weakness and/or fatigue in a patient in need thereof. In preferred embodiments, the anti-IL-6 antibodies will be humanized and/or will be aglycosylated. Also, in preferred embodiments these patients will comprise those exhibiting (or at risk of developing) an elevated serum C-reactive protein level. In another preferred embodiment, the patient's survivability or quality of life will preferably be improved.