Repurposing Interleukin-6 Inhibitors to Combat COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, frequently leading to fatal pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• Current treatments for COVID-19-related ARDS are primarily supportive, with limited therapeutic options available.
• Cytokine storm, particularly elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) release, is a major suspected driver of ARDS pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential therapeutic application of interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitors for managing COVID-19-related ARDS.
• To identify existing IL-6 inhibitors approved for other conditions that could be repurposed for COVID-19 treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on ARDS pathogenesis, cytokine storm, and IL-6 signaling.
• Examination of IL-6 inhibitors currently approved for other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
• Analysis of the potential efficacy and safety of IL-6 inhibitors in the context of COVID-19-related ARDS.

Main Results:

• Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a critical role in the hyperinflammatory response observed in severe COVID-19 and ARDS.
• Several IL-6 inhibitors are already approved and utilized for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and cytokine release syndrome.
• These established IL-6 inhibitors represent promising candidates for novel therapeutic strategies against COVID-19-related ARDS.

Conclusions:

• Targeting IL-6 with existing inhibitors offers a potential novel treatment avenue for COVID-19-related ARDS.
• Repurposing IL-6 inhibitors could provide a faster therapeutic option compared to developing new drugs.
• Further clinical investigation is warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of IL-6 inhibitors in COVID-19 patients with ARDS.