Tocilizumab (Anti-Human IL6R) is a neutralizing antibody against human interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) that blocks the binding of IL-6 to IL-6R, thereby inhibiting both classical and trans signaling. It can be used to study rheumatoid arthritis and has been suggested as a possible drug for the treatment of severe COVID-19.

Objective: To validate that IL-6 signaling is essential for TAM (tumor-associated macrophages)-enhanced CSC (cancer stem cells) function. Concentrations: 5 μg/ml. Incubation Time: 72 h. Method: For co-culture experiments, 12-well Transwell chambers were used with 2×105 HepG2 or Hep3B cells seeded in the lower chamber one day before co-culture and either 5×105 or 1×106 TAMs added in the upper chamber. Tocilizumab or human IgG antibody were added in indicated experiments to selected wells. After 24 to 72 hours, HCC cells and CD14+ TAM cells were collected separately for analysis. Cells:HepG2 cell lines, TAMs isolated from HCCs (hepatocellular carcinoma)