Title:Tocilizumab: From Rheumatic Diseases to COVID-19
Volume: 27
Issue: 13
Author(s): Alberto Raiteri, Fabio Piscaglia, Alessandro Granito and Francesco Tovoli*
Affiliation:
- Division of Internal Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, via Albertoni 15,Italy
Keywords:
Tocilizumab, COVID-19, SARS-CoV2, tocilizumab, monoclonal antibodies, interleukin-6, cytokines.
Abstract: Tocilizumab is a humanised interleukin-6 receptor-inhibiting monoclonal antibody that is currently
approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other immune-related conditions. Recently, tocilizumab
has been investigated as a possible treatment for severe coronavirus-induced disease 2019 (COVID-19). Despite
the lack of direct antiviral effects, tocilizumab could reduce the immune-induced organ damage caused by
severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection. Until recently, most reports on tocilizumab
for COVID-19 included a limited number of patients, preventing an overall evaluation of its efficacy
and safety for this specific condition. Therefore, we reviewed the literature regarding the physiopathological rationale
of tocilizumab for COVID-19 and its outcomes. We searched the MEDLINE database with the string
“(SARS-CoV-2 OR coronavirus OR COVID-19 OR MERS- cov OR SARS-cov) AND (IL-6 OR interleukin 6
OR tocilizumab)”. While the scientific rationale supporting tocilizumab for COVID-19 is solid, the evidence regarding
the outcomes remains controversial. Available data and results from ongoing trials will provide useful
information in the event of new COVID-19 outbreaks or future pandemics from different coronaviruses.