Expert opinion on investigational drugs
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Expert Opin Investig Drugs · Dec 2020
ReviewOverview on the use of IL-6 agents in the treatment of patients with cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and pneumonitis related to COVID-19 disease.
A novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) has caused significant life loss and healthcare burden globally. COVID-19 is known to cause a cytokine release syndrome (CRS) like response, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the cytokines involved. Clinicians are using IL-6 inhibitors to CRS, and researchers are investigating the use of IL-6 inhibitors, namely tocilizumab, sarilumab, siltuximab, in COVID-19 management. ⋯ There is a role for suppressing the immune response with IL-6 inhibitors that will continue to require investigation. These agents are available and have demonstrated a mild safety profile. There may be advantages to a targeted approach to suppressing the hyperinflammatory state of the disease. Timing, the long-term effects, and what cocktail of medications demonstrates the strongest outcomes are all important considerations as IL-6 inhibitors continue to be evaluated in this global pandemic.