A retrospective study of the role of Tocilizumab in preventing or controlling cytokine storm in COVID-19 cases

Authors : Ajeet Singh Thakur, Swapnil Jain, Bhavya Shah, Arti Julka, J.C. Agrawat

DOI : 10.18231/j.jpmhh.2022.007

Volume : 8

Issue : 1

Year : 2022

Page No : 30-34

Introduction: In spite of the advancement in science we are still lacking definite specific treatment for Covid-19. And till date (11 April 2022) 6,203,372 and 5,21,722 death occurred globally and in India respectively. The sudden increase of O2 demand with need for Invasive ventilator is an indicator/ is a warning for cytokine storm Syndrome (CSS) or an over action of the immune system, which can be disastrous. Steroids are still the best anti-inflammatory drugs available thus as soon as a patient shows signs of a 'cytokine storm,' steroids should be used. Other drugs i.e. IL-6 receptor blocker TCZ and Sarilumab and direct IL-6 inhibitor Siltuximaband JAK inhibitors (baricitinib) etc are also been considered in various trials for cytokine storm.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed in hospitalized patients referred from the district hospital to the Dedicated Covid Hospital (DCH), all were diagnosed with COVID-19 with hypoxemia.
The timely detection of CSS & early initiation to controlling management is the key issue The early identification of cytokine strom with initiation of TCZ may give beneficial result. The Oxygen requirement and CRP showed a significant decline with the use of tocilizumab. Furthermore, the optimal timing, dosage and administration route of TCZ may need to be studied with larger sample or with multicenteric study plan.


Keywords: Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), Cytokine Storm syndrome (CSS), Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), Tocilizumab (TCZ)


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