Interleukin-6 signaling blockade treatment for cytokine release syndrome in COVID-19 (Review)

A severe immune response in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause a potentially lethal unconstrained inflammatory cytokine storm, known as cytokine release syndrome (CRS). The present study provides an overview of the biology underlying CRS and how targeted inhibition of interleukin (IL)-6 signaling may improve outcomes and the survival of patients suffering from COVID-19. Preliminary clinical results have indicated that antagonism of the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), including with the FDA-approved humanized monoclonal antibody tocilizumab, can improve the outcomes of patients with severe or critical COVID-19 while maintaining a good safety profile. The available clinical data support the expansion of clinical trials using IL-6R targeting inhibitors for severe and critical COVID-19 treatment.