Clinical outcome in coronavirus disease patients treated with tocilizumab at a dedicated COVID hospital: A retrospective observational study

Various studies have reported that there has been a decrease in IL-6 level, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and lower risk of death with the use of tocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19 disease. [5] Therefore, cytokine storm has an important role in disease progression with the viral invasion of the cellular immunity. [...]immunomodulatory agents may play an important role in handling the immune response. Studies have reported there has been a decrease in IL-6 level, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and lower risk of death with the use of tocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19 disease. [6,7] Tocilizumab (Actemra®) is a recombinant IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody which can specifically bind to the membrane-bound IL-6 receptor and soluble IL-6 receptor. [...]it inhibits signal transduction and prevents further damage due to immune response. [9] Despite so many studies, it is not claimed that tocilizumab has a positive therapeutic effect on COVID-19. [...]this study aims to assess the effect of tocilizumab on clinical outcomes in terms of death and discharge in patients who received tocilizumab at our institution.