The significant reduction of autophagy expression in our patients with RA after 6-month anti-IL-6R therapy is also similar to previous reports that anti-IL6R therapy was effective in the treatment of glioblastoma by blocking autophagy [43], and the inhibition of autophagy could reduce osteoclastogenesis and prevent structural damage in RA [21]. This evidence concerns the gene IL6R and rheumatoid arthritis.