Tocilizumab: No benefit
Tocilizumab was not effective for preventing intubation or death in moderately ill hospitalized patients with Covid-19. This is the result of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving SARS-CoV-2 patients with hyperinflammatory states and at least two of the following signs: fever (body temperature >38°C), pulmonary infiltrates, or the need for supplemental oxygen in order to maintain an oxygen saturation greater than 92%. John H. Stone and colleagues (for the BACC Bay Tocilizumab Trial Investigators) conclude that their data do not provide support for the concept that early interleukin-6 receptor blockade is an effective treatment strategy in moderately ill patients hospitalized with Covid-19.
Stone JH, Frigault MJ, Serling-Boyd NJ, et al. Efficacy of Tocilizumab in Patients Hospitalized with Covid-19. N Engl J Med 2020, published 22 October. Full-text: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2028836
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