The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer perspective on regulation of interleukin-6 signaling in COVID-19-related systemic inflammatory response

• DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000930
• Publication Date: 2020-05-08T12:09:31Z
• Authors: Fernanda I Arnaldez; Steven J O"Day; Charles G Drake; Bernard A Fox; Bingqing Fu; Walter J Urba; Vincenzo Montesar...; Jeffrey S Weber; Haiming Wei; Jon M Wigginton; Paolo Antonio Asc...
• Keywords: Cytokine Storm; Cytokine Release Syndrome; Tocilizumab

The pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has placed an unprecedented burden on healthcare systems around world. In patients who experience severe disease, acute respiratory distress is often accompanied a pathological immune reaction, sometimes referred to as ‘cytokine storm’. One hallmark feature of profound inflammatory state seen in with COVID-19 succumb pneumonia and hypoxia marked elevation serum cytokines, especially interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 17 (IL-17), 8 (IL-8) 6 (IL-6). Initial from outbreaks Italy, China USA anecdotally demonstrated improved outcomes for critically ill administration cytokine-modulatory therapies, anti-IL-6 agents. Although ongoing trials are investigating access these therapies concern, numbers cases worldwide continue climb. An immunology-informed approach may help identify alternative agents modulate inflammation COVID-19. Drawing extensive administering other immune-modulating Society Immunotherapy Cancer offers this perspective potential alternatives that also warrant consideration management systemic response pulmonary compromise can be