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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 19, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses

Published on: March 8, 2024

Cytokine storms, evolution and COVID-19.

Joe Alcock¹, Alix Masters²

¹Department of Emergency Medicine, MSC11 6025 1, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.

Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health

|September 23, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Corticosteroids are the only effective treatment for cytokine storms in COVID-19. Historical data shows experimental therapies for cytokine storms in other infections have largely failed, informing expectations for new COVID-19 treatments.

Keywords:

Covid-19 SARS-CoV-2 corticosteroids cytokine storm immunity

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Infectious Diseases
Evolutionary Medicine

Background:

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has highlighted the critical role of the host immune system in disease pathogenesis.
The "cytokine storm" phenomenon, an overactive immune response, is a key driver of severe illness in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Intense research has focused on medical interventions targeting the host immune response during COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the history of experimental therapies for cytokine storms in various infections.
To frame expectations for novel interventions aimed at treating COVID-19 cytokine storms.
To apply an evolutionary medicine perspective to understanding and treating cytokine storms.

Main Methods:

Literature review of historical experimental therapies for cytokine storms.
Analysis of treatment outcomes in severe sepsis and other infections.
Synthesis of historical data with current COVID-19 research.

Main Results:

Corticosteroids are the only class of medication currently proven effective for managing COVID-19 cytokine storms.
Numerous experimental therapies for cytokine storms in severe sepsis and other infections have historically failed to improve patient outcomes.
Past therapeutic failures provide a cautionary framework for evaluating new COVID-19 treatments.

Conclusions:

The historical track record of cytokine storm treatments suggests caution regarding novel therapeutic approaches for COVID-19.
An evolutionary medicine perspective may offer insights into the persistence and treatment of hyperinflammatory responses.
Understanding the history of cytokine storm treatment is crucial for developing effective strategies against SARS-CoV-2 and future infectious threats.