Sarilumab use in severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia

https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.14.20094144

In an observational clinical cohort study, of the 53 SARS-CoV-2 patients receiving Sarilumab, 39 (73.6%) were treated in
medical wards (66.7% with a single infusion) while 14 (26.4%) in ICU (92.6% with a second infusion).  Within the medical wards, 7(17.9%) required ICU admission, 4 of whom were re-admitted to the ward within 5-8 days. At 19 days median follow-up, 89.7% of medical inpatients significantly improved , 70.6% were discharged from the hospital and 85.7% no longer needed oxygen therapy. Within patients receiving Sarilumab in ICU, 64.2% were discharged from ICU to the ward and 35.8% were still alive at the last follow-up. Overall mortality rate was 5.7% after Sarilumab administration. IL-6R inhibition appears to be a potential treatment strategy for severe
SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and intravenous Sarilumab seems a promising treatment approach showing, in the short term, an important clinical benefit and good safety.