Use of Tocilizumab May Avoid the Need of Invasive Ventilation

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Increased pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin 6 (IL-6) are associated with severe forms of illnesses. The severe cases of COVID-19 require a high amount of oxygen supplementation and might even require endotracheal intubation with ventilator support. A blockade of inflammatory cascade with the use of tocilizumab has been shown to decrease the need for intubation and ventilator requirement.