Physical changes to the breasts are often recorded in the stretch marks of the skin envelope; they can serve as historical indicators of the increments and the decrements of the size and volume of a womans breasts throughout the course of her life. Breastfeeding
The primary function of the breasts, as mammary glands, is the nourishing of an infant with breast milk. Milk is produced in milk-secreting cells in the alveoli. When the breasts are stimulated by the suckling of her baby, the mothers brain secretes oxytocin. High levels of oxytocin trigger the contraction of muscle cells surrounding the alveoli, causing milk to flow along the ducts that connect the alveoli to the nipple.Full-term newborns have an instinct and a need to suck on a nipple, and breastfed babies nurse for both nutrition and for comfort. Breast milk provides all necessary nutrients for the first six months of life, and then remains an important source of nutrition, alongside solid foods, until at least one or two years of age. Clinical significance
The breast is susceptible to numerous benign and malignant conditions. The most frequent benign conditions are puerperal mastitis, fibrocystic breast changes and mastalgia. Lactation unrelated to pregnancy is known as galactorrhea. It can be caused by certain drugs (such as antipsychotic medications), extreme physical stress, or endocrine disorders. Lactation in newborns is caused by hormones from the mother that crossed into the babys bloodstream during pregnancy.
Live vaccines should not be administered to patients receiving siltuximab since IL-6 inhibition may interfere with normal immune response to new antigens.Common
The following has been shown to occur in treatment of Multicentric Castlemans disease with siltuximab during a clinical trial (>10% compared to placebo):
Peripheral edema
Abdominal Pain
Pruritus
Increased weight
Rash
Hyperuricemia
Upper respiratory tract infectionsLong term exposure

Upper respiratory tract infection
Pain in extremities
Arthralgia
Fatigue

Drug interactions
Siltuximab may increase CYP450 activity leading to increased metabolism of drugs that are CYP450 substrates. Co-administration of siltuximab and CYP450 substrates with narrow therapeutic index such as warfarin, ciclosporin or theophylline should be closely monitored. Mechanism of action
Siltuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to interleukin-6 (IL-6), preventing binding to soluble and membrane bound interleukin-6 receptors. Siltuximab interferes with IL-6 mediated growth of B-lymphocytes and plasma cells, secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and autoimmune phenomena. == References ==