The efficacy of IL-6 inhibitor Tocilizumab in reducing severe COVID-19 mortality: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the absence of highly effective antiviral therapies against SARS-CoV-2, it is crucial to counter the known pathophysiological causes of severe COVID-19. Evaluating the efficacy existing drugs may expedite the development of such therapeutics. Severe COVID-19 is largely the result of a dysregulated immune response characterized by lymphocytopenia, neutrophilia and critical hypercytokinemia, or "cytokine storm," which is largely mediated by the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). The IL-6 inhibitor tocilizumab (TCZ) could potentially suppress the effects of the pro-inflammatory cytokine and thereby lower mortality from the disease. This systematic analysis aimed to investigate and synthesize existing evidence for the efficacy of TCZ in reducing COVID-19 mortality.

Methodo

SUBMITTER: Kaye AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7643559 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature