Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 8, 2025

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment
08:36

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment

Published on: April 19, 2024

859

Anti-interleukin-6 therapies for Covid-19: A systematic review, critical appraisal and meta-analysis

Arunmozhimaran Elavarasi1, Ranjit Kumar Sahoo2, Tulika Seth3

  • 1Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India.

The National Medical Journal of India
|April 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) therapies show potential for treating severe COVID-19 by reducing cytokine release syndrome. However, current evidence is of very low quality, necessitating further research through randomized controlled trials.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic with a significant proportion of patients developing severe or critical illness.
  • Cytokine release syndrome is implicated in the severe pathogenesis of COVID-19.
  • Anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) therapies are being investigated as a potential treatment to mitigate severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the existing literature on the efficacy of anti-IL-6 therapies in treating COVID-19 patients.
  • To assess the quality of evidence for anti-IL-6 therapies using the GRADE method.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review was conducted to identify relevant studies.
  • Case series and case reports were analyzed.
  • The GRADE methodology was employed to evaluate the quality of the evidence.

Main Results:

  • The review identified 4 case series and 10 case reports on anti-IL-6 therapy for COVID-19.
  • Studies reported a potential beneficial effect of anti-IL-6 therapy, but all had a high risk of bias.
  • Pooled analysis indicated a 42% improvement rate (95% CI 1%-91%) with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 95%).
  • The overall quality of evidence was graded as 'very low'.

Conclusions:

  • Anti-IL-6 therapy shows promise for managing severe COVID-19.
  • The current evidence base is limited by high risk of bias and substantial heterogeneity.
  • Randomized controlled trials are essential to establish robust evidence for the efficacy of anti-IL-6 therapies in COVID-19 treatment.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses09:43

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses

Published on: March 8, 2024

2.0K
Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device09:36

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device

Published on: September 24, 2020

2.9K

Related Concept Videos

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
9.9K
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management01:29

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management

Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
261
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
519
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:17

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
776
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...
277
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...
302