Transcriptomic and proteomic assessment of tocilizumab response in a randomized controlled trial of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: High interleukin (IL)-6 levels are associated with greater COVID-19 severity. IL-6 receptor blockade by tocilizumab (anti-IL6R; Actemra) is used globally for the treatment of severe COVID-19, yet a molecular understanding of the therapeutic benefit remains unclear. We characterized the immune profile and identified cellular and molecular pathways modified by tocilizumab in peripheral blood samples from patients enrolled in the COVACTA study, a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. We identified markers of inflammation, lymphopenia, myeloid dysregulation, and organ injury that predict disease severity and clinical outcomes. Proteomic analysis confirmed a pharmacodynamic effect for

SUBMITTER: Shivram H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10470387 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature