Serial determination of serum IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IL‐17 in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis successfully treated with kampo medicine: Case report and literature review

Case A 68-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who was being treated with prednisolone (PSL) and bucillamine (Buc) presented to request kampo medicine. Outcome Treatment with keishinieppiittokaryojutsubu (KER) in addition to PSL and Buc resulted in a favorable response based on the disease activity score 28-C-reactive protein, as well as a decrease in the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-17 after 5 month. Furthermore, we discontinued PSL approximately 15 months later. Conclusion The mechanism of action of KER involves immunomodulation through not only IL-6 but also IL-17 in RA patients responding to KER.