Is IL-6 a key cytokine target for therapy in COVID-19?

Nat Rev Immunol. 2021 Jun;21(6):337-339. doi: 10.1038/s41577-021-00553-8.

Abstract

The identification of elevated IL-6 levels in patients with severe COVID-19 led to the rapid development of clinical trials targeting this cytokine. Overall, these trials do not support the widespread use of IL-6 antagonists in hospitalized patients with mild-to-moderate disease, but IL-6 antagonists may be beneficial when rapidly deployed in patients with severe COVID-19, as we discuss here.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / complications
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / etiology
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / immunology*
  • Cytokines / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Cytokines
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6