Tocilizumab for Covid-19-The Ongoing Search for Effective Therapies

Abstract

Nearly 10 months after the identification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), therapeutic options remain limited. The major treatments focus on neutralizing the virus through passive immunity (i.e., convalescent-phase plasma or monoclonal antibodies), inhibiting viral replication (remdesivir), or muting the immune response to prevent manifestations such as cytokine storm, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multisystem organ failure (glucocorticoids, interleukin-6 antagonists, and JAK-STAT inhibitors). The evidence supporting the use of these interventions is not substantial and is conflicting. Although some have been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), . . .