Anti-Interleukin-6 (IL6) in Calciphylaxis

Calciphylaxis is a rare but incredibly dangerous condition that causes small blood vessels in the skin to become blocked by calcium buildup and blood clots. This leads to painful skin sores (necrosis) that do not heal easily. Because these open wounds are prone to severe infections, the outlook for patients is often grim; more than half of those diagnosed do not survive past the first year. Currently, there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications specifically designed to stop the progression of this disease. However, recent research has identified a specific culprit: Interleukin-6 (IL-6). The research team is looking at a drug called Tocilizumab to turn off the progression of the disease. This project aims to investigate whether Tocilizumab can consistently stop the cycle of inflammation and clotting, providing a much-needed lifeline for patients facing this life-threatening diagnosis. Ten participants with calciphylaxis and end-stage kidney disease will be enrolled to receive 3 infusions of Tocilizumab, follow-ups on a weekly basis, during their trip to the dialysis unit, for a total of 16 weeks.