Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 30, 2025

Dynamic Imaging of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells with [18F]Tetrafluoroborate Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography
09:34

Dynamic Imaging of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells with [18F]Tetrafluoroborate Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography

Published on: February 17, 2022

3.6K

Treatment With Tocilizumab for Patients With COVID-19 Infections: A Case-Series Study

Yoonsun Mo1,2, Obed Adarkwah2, John Zeibeq2

  • 1Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|November 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Tocilizumab (TCZ) may help severe COVID-19 patients by reducing inflammation and fever. While preliminary, this suggests TCZ could be a valuable treatment for cytokine storm syndrome in COVID-19 patients.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Interleukin-6 receptor inhibition with Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a potential treatment for severe COVID-19.
  • Cytokine storm syndrome is a serious complication of COVID-19.
  • Limited data exists on TCZ's clinical impact in COVID-19 patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of TCZ as an adjunct therapy for severe COVID-19.
  • To assess TCZ's impact on vital signs, laboratory biomarkers, and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational chart review of 38 confirmed COVID-19 patients treated with TCZ.
  • Analysis of changes in temperature, C-reactive protein, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of stay.
  • Monitoring for adverse events, including infections and elevated liver enzymes.

Main Results:

  • Median C-reactive protein significantly decreased post-TCZ administration (189.9 to 54.8 mg/L, P = .003).
  • 73% of febrile patients became fever-free by day four of TCZ treatment.
  • Adverse events included multidrug-resistant bacterial infections (11 patients) and elevated liver transaminases (6 patients).

Conclusions:

  • TCZ appears to ameliorate COVID-19-related cytokine storm syndrome.
  • TCZ demonstrated potential in reducing key inflammatory markers and fever in severe COVID-19 patients.
  • Further large randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm TCZ's efficacy and safety in COVID-19 treatment.
Keywords:
COVID-19adverse drug eventseffectivenesssafetytocilizumab

More Related Videos

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain04:50

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain

Published on: May 16, 2025

615
Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS08:38

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS

Published on: November 8, 2015

17.2K

Related Concept Videos

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
338
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
321
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2...
307
Myocarditis III: Medical Management01:14

Myocarditis III: Medical Management

Myocarditis: Comprehensive Medical ManagementMyocarditis, the heart muscle inflammation, requires a comprehensive medical management strategy that addresses the underlying cause, provides supportive care, manages symptoms, and reduces cardiac workload.Infections and Autoimmune CausesAdminister appropriate antimicrobial therapy when an infectious agent causes myocarditis. For instance, penicillin treats infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. In cases where autoimmune processes are...
89
Pericarditis III: Medical Management01:17

Pericarditis III: Medical Management

The primary objectives of managing pericarditis are to determine the underlying cause, provide effective therapy for treatment and symptom relief, and promptly detect signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. The following outlines the essential aspects of medical management for pericarditis:ObjectivesDetermine the Cause: Identifying the underlying cause of pericarditis is crucial for targeted treatment. Causes include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, post-cardiac injury syndrome, and...
139
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
265