Tocilizumab in COVID-19 Lahore General Hospital

Summary

The most accepted description of severe COVID-19 disease is development and over production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Autopsy studies have been done on COVID-19 patients proved that severe disease is resulted due to deviant host-immune response and cytokine storm. Elevated inflammatory biomarkers like C-Reactive protein (CRP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines shown to be higher in severe disease of COVID-19. Several studies on severe COVID-19 have revealed raised levels of plasma cytokines like IL-6, IL-2, IL-10, Gamma interferon (INF), Tumor necrosis factor Alpha TNF. The Cytokines release syndrome (CRS) is a hyperinflammatory deadly syndrome characterized by release of uncontrolled immune system activation which is responsible for multi-organ failure. It has the main role in ARDS due to SARS-CoV-2 virus which binds to alveolar epithelium and resulting in IL-6 release that is responsible for increase alveolar-epithelium permeability. In many studies it has been observed that IL-6 have played a main role in CRS induction. Previous experiences from hyperinflammatory and cytokine storm syndromes recommends that early involvement of inhibiting CRS is essential to prevent lethal tissue damage and poor clinical outcome. In this scenario the judgement of clinical specialist who are suggesting that evidence of CRS can be cured with glucocorticoids, I/V immunoglobulin and anti-cytokine therapy cannot be ignored.

Timeline

Start

2020-05-01

Primary completion

2020-12-30

Completion

2020-12-30

Publications

• Background Wichmann D, Sperhake JP, Lutgehetmann M, Steurer S, Edler C, Heinemann A, Heinrich F, Mushumba H, Kniep I, Schroder AS, Burdelski C, de Heer G, Nierhaus A, Frings D, Pfefferle S, Becker H, Bredereke-Wiedling H, de Weerth A, Paschen HR, Sheikhzadeh-Eggers S, Stang A, Schmiedel S, Bokemeyer C, Addo MM, Aepfelbacher M, Puschel K, Kluge S. Autopsy Findings and Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With COVID-19: A Prospective Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med. 2020 Aug 18;173(4):268-277. doi: 10.7326/M20-2003. Epub 2020 May 6.
• Background Ramos-Casals M, Brito-Zeron P, Lopez-Guillermo A, Khamashta MA, Bosch X. Adult haemophagocytic syndrome. Lancet. 2014 Apr 26;383(9927):1503-1516. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61048-X. Epub 2013 Nov 27.
• Background Radbel J, Narayanan N, Bhatt PJ. Use of Tocilizumab for COVID-19-Induced Cytokine Release Syndrome: A Cautionary Case Report. Chest. 2020 Jul;158(1):e15-e19. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.04.024. Epub 2020 Apr 25.
• Background Liu B, Li M, Zhou Z, Guan X, Xiang Y. Can we use interleukin-6 (IL-6) blockade for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced cytokine release syndrome (CRS)? J Autoimmun. 2020 Jul;111:102452. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102452. Epub 2020 Apr 10.
• Background Henderson LA, Canna SW, Schulert GS, Volpi S, Lee PY, Kernan KF, Caricchio R, Mahmud S, Hazen MM, Halyabar O, Hoyt KJ, Han J, Grom AA, Gattorno M, Ravelli A, De Benedetti F, Behrens EM, Cron RQ, Nigrovic PA. On the Alert for Cytokine Storm: Immunopathology in COVID-19. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020 Jul;72(7):1059-1063. doi: 10.1002/art.41285. Epub 2020 May 10.

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