Tocilizumab for the treatment of non-critical COVID-19 pneumonia: an overview of the rationale and clinical evidence to date.
Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol
; 14(10): 1279-1287, 2021 Oct.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1287936
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Tocilizumab is one of the main repurposed therapies investigated for COVID-19 pneumonia since the start of the pandemic, but there has been conflicting evidence for its use.Areas covered This review covers the physiology of interleukin-6 and its role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19. We discuss the use of tocilizumab in other diseases and the rationale for its use in COVID-19. We summarize the design, contrasting results, and implications of the clinical trials of tocilizumab in COVID-19 to date and discuss the current guidance for its use.Expert opinion The evidence to date suggests benefit with the use of tocilizumab in some but not all patients with COVID-19. Benefit seems to be greatest when given early after clinical deterioration with the presence of systemic inflammation. However, questions remain around the optimal timing, patient selection, and concomitant treatments.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Antiviral Agents
/
Interleukin-6
/
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
17512433.2021.1949286
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