ABSTRACT
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) took center stage as a therapeutic target, given its role in the cytokine storm phase of COVID-19. While IL-6 inhibitors have been widely used to treat a variety of immune-mediated disease states, they have not been used often in the intensive care setting, and new data question their efficacy. This brief review provides practical information on their administration and safety.
Footnotes
Dr. Cassandra Calabrese has disclosed financial interests (consulting/advisory and speaking) with AbbVie, Regeneron, and Sanofi Aventis. Dr. Leonard Calabrese has disclosed financial interests (consulting, teaching, and speaking) with AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Crescendo Biologics, GlaxoSmithKline, Genentech/Roche, Horizon Therapeutics, Janssen, Novartis, and Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi Aventis, UCB. Dr. Rajendram and Gretchen L. Sacha have nothing to disclose.
The statements and opinions expressed in COVID-19 Curbside Consults are based on experience and the available literature as of the date posted. While we try to regularly update this content, any offered recommendations cannot be substituted for the clinical judgment of clinicians caring for individual patients.
- Copyright © 2020 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
- Cassandra Calabrese, DO⇑
- Correspondence:
Cassandra Calabrese, DO, Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases, A50, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195; CALABRC{at}ccf.org
ABSTRACT
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) took center stage as a therapeutic target, given its role in the cytokine storm phase of COVID-19. While IL-6 inhibitors have been widely used to treat a variety of immune-mediated disease states, they have not been used often in the intensive care setting, and new data question their efficacy. This brief review provides practical information on their administration and safety.
Footnotes
Dr. Cassandra Calabrese has disclosed financial interests (consulting/advisory and speaking) with AbbVie, Regeneron, and Sanofi Aventis. Dr. Leonard Calabrese has disclosed financial interests (consulting, teaching, and speaking) with AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Crescendo Biologics, GlaxoSmithKline, Genentech/Roche, Horizon Therapeutics, Janssen, Novartis, and Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi Aventis, UCB. Dr. Rajendram and Gretchen L. Sacha have nothing to disclose.
The statements and opinions expressed in COVID-19 Curbside Consults are based on experience and the available literature as of the date posted. While we try to regularly update this content, any offered recommendations cannot be substituted for the clinical judgment of clinicians caring for individual patients.
- Copyright © 2020 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.