Title:Systematic Review on Treatment Trials of Tocilizumab: A Repurposing
Drug against COVID-19
Volume: 16
Issue: 4
Author(s): Shilpita Banerjee and Ajit Kumar Mahapatra*
Affiliation:
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology Shibpur, Howrah, 711103,India
Keywords:
Corona virus, COVID-19, tocilizumab, antiviral drugs, case study, cytokine release syndrome (CRS).
Abstract: Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global issue today. There exists an ongoing
health crisis all over the world, and efficacious drugs against COVID-19 are not available yet.
Therefore, on an urgent basis, scientists are looking for safe and efficacious drugs against SARSCoV-
2.
Methods: The reported individual patient data and clinical outcomes, including the rate of recovery
and mortality, patients’ characteristics, and complications, are reviewed. Randomized controlled
trials, single-center cohort studies, and different case studies are provided, and the PICO model is
used to illustrate the outcomes.
Results: There exist several FDA (U.S Food and Drug Administration) approved anti coronavirus
drugs that sometimes are unsuccessful in curing COVID-19 critical conditions. It has been observed
that a humanized monoclonal antibody, Tocilizumab (licensed for the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis), targeting the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, has an integral role in the treatment of
COVID-19.
Conclusion: The cause behind the mortality of COVID-19 patients was found to be the Cytokine
Release Syndrome (CRS). Therefore, besides other antiviral drugs, the utilization of tocilizumab
should also be considered as it can effectively block IL-6 and reduce the inflammatory signal.
