Systematic Review on Treatment Trials of Tocilizumab- A Repurposing Drug Against COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global issue today. There exists an ongoing health crisis all over the world and efficacious drugs against COVID-19 are not available yet. Therefore, on an urgent basis, scientists are looking for safe and efficacious drugs against SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: The reported individual patient data and clinical outcomes including rate of recovery and mortality, patients' characteristics and complications are reviewed. Randomized controlled trials, single center cohort studies and different case studies are provided and PICO model is used to illustrate the outcomes. RESULTS: There exists several FDA (U.S Food and Drug Administration) approved anti corona virus drugs that sometimes are unsuccessful to cure COVID-19 critical conditions. It has been observed that a humanized monoclonal antibody, Tocilizumab (licensed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis), targeting the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, has an integral role in the treatment of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The cause behind the mortality of COVID-19 patients was found to be the Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS). So, beside other antiviral drugs, the utilization of tocilizumab should also be considered as it can effectively block IL-6 and reduce the inflammatory signal.