J Med Virol. 2020 Jul 16. doi: 10.1002/jmv.26308. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to a massive cytokine release. The use of the anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody tocilizumab (TCZ) has been proposed in this hyperinflammatory phase, although supporting evidence is limited.
METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 88 consecutive patients with COVID-19 pneumonia that received at least one dose of intravenous TCZ in our institution between March 16 and 27, 2020. Clinical status from day 0 (first TCZ dose) through day 14 was assessed by a six-point ordinal scale. The primary outcome was clinical improvement (hospital discharge and/or a decrease of ≥2 points on the six-point scale) by day 7. Secondary outcomes included clinical improvement by day 14 and dynamics of vital signs and laboratory values.
RESULTS: Rates of clinical improvement by days 7 and 14 were 44.3% (39/88) and 73.9% (65/88). Previous or concomitant receipt of subcutaneous interferon-β (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06 - 0.94; P-value = 0.041) and serum lactate dehydrogenase >450 U/L at day 0 (aOR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.06 - 0.99; P-value = 0.048) were negatively associated with clinical improvement by day 7. All-cause mortality was 6.8% (6/88). Body temperature and respiratory and cardiac rates significantly decreased by day 1 compared to day 0. Lymphocyte count and pulse oximetry oxygen saturation/FiO2 ratio increased by days 3 and 5, whereas C-reactive protein levels dropped by day 2. There were no TCZ-attributable adverse events.
CONCLUSIONS: In this observational single-center study, TCZ appeared to be useful and safe as immunomodulatory therapy for severe COVID-19 pneumonia. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID:32672860 | DOI:10.1002/jmv.26308