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. 2020 Nov;92(11):2260-2262.
doi: 10.1002/jmv.26078. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

COVID-19: Consider IL-6 receptor antagonist for the therapy of cytokine storm syndrome in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients

Chiranjib Chakraborty  1   2 , Ashish Ranjan Sharma  2 , Manojit Bhattacharya  2 , Garima Sharma  3 , Sang-Soo Lee  2 , Govindasamy Agoramoorthy  4
Affiliations

COVID-19: Consider IL-6 receptor antagonist for the therapy of cytokine storm syndrome in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients

Chiranjib Chakraborty et al. J Med Virol. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

COVID-19 leads to mortality of several patients and the cytokine storm is reportedly critical in the patients. To reduce the cytokine storm, we would like to propose the interleukin (IL) 6 receptor (IL-6R) antagonist therapy for the COVID-19 patients. Two humanized monoclonal antibodies are in clinical trial following IL-6R antagonist therapies namely tocilizumab and sarilumab. However, researchers and physicians should look for more IL-6R antagonists for the therapy of cytokine storm syndrome severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infected persons to enhance the therapeutic options for cytokine storm.

Keywords: IL-6R antagonist; cytokine storm; sarilumab; therapeutic option; tocilizumab.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflict of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Probable mechanism of action of IL‐6 receptor antagonist for the therapy of cytokine storm syndrome in SARS‐CoV‐2 infected individuals. IL, interleukin; SARS‐CoV‐2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Feasibility of tocilizumab in ICU patients with COVID-19.
    Issa N, Dumery M, Guisset O, Mourissoux G, Bonnet F, Camou F. Issa N, et al. J Med Virol. 2021 Jan;93(1):46-47. doi: 10.1002/jmv.26110. Epub 2020 Aug 13. J Med Virol. 2021. PMID: 32484915 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Remdesivir and tocilizumab: Mix or match.
    Akinosoglou K, Velissaris D, Ziazias D, Davoulos C, Tousis A, Tsiotsios K, Kalogeropoulou C, Spyridonidis A, Marangos M, Fligkou F, Gogos C. Akinosoglou K, et al. J Med Virol. 2021 Jan;93(1):56-58. doi: 10.1002/jmv.26117. Epub 2020 Jun 19. J Med Virol. 2021. PMID: 32492200 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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