Compassionate Use of Tocilizumab for Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia

https://academic.oup.com/cid/articleabstract/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaa812/5861638

In a single-center observational study of tocilizumab in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia clinical and laboratory parameters including oxygen and vasopressor requirements, cytokine profiles, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels pre- and post-tocilizumab treatment were examined. Twenty seven SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia patients received one 400 mg dose of tocilizumab. Significant reductions in temperature and CRP were seen post-tocilizumab. However, four patients did not show rapid CRP declines, of whom three had poorer outcomes. Oxygen and vasopressor requirements diminished over the first week post-tocilizumab. Twenty-two patients required mechanical ventilation; at last follow-up, 16 were extubated. Adverse events and serious adverse events were minimal, but two deaths (7.4%) occurred that were felt unrelated to tocilizumab. Compared to published reports on the morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2, tocilizumab appears to offer benefits in reducing inflammation, oxygen requirements, vasopressor support, and mortality.

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