Anti-interleukin-6 monoclonal antibody for cytokine storm in COVID-19

Abstract

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to cause severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome which may lead to death. Several treatments have been tested in the race to find a treatment regimen for this deadly viral infection. Tocilizumab, a recombinant humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, has been used and found to be beneficial in patients with COVID-19 and in cytokine storm. We present the case of a young, otherwise healthy male, presenting with COVID-19 and successfully treated in the intensive care unit with tocilizumab.

Keywords

• covid-19
• cytokine
• interleukin-6
• infection
• monoclonal antibody
• tocilizumab