The cytokine storm that characterizes COVID-19 may be able to be reduced with the monoclonal antibody, tocilizumab, that targets the IL-6 (Interleukin-6) pathway. 20 Patients were given tocilizumab in addition to normal routine treatment over a period of nine days during the month of February 2020 in two different hospitals located in China.
Results:

• fever returned to normal within the first day
• After 5 days of treatment with tocilizumab, 75% of the patients experienced improved oxygen intake on their own, and 1 patient no longer needed oxygen therapy.
• The percentage of lymphocytes in peripheral blood, (the blood that travels through the heart, arteries, capillaries and veins) was abnormal in 85% of patients before treatment with tocilizumab, but returned to normal in 52.6% of patients within 5 days of treatment with tocilizumab.
• C-reactive protein significantly decreased in 84.2% of patients after 5 days, signifying reduced inflammation.
• All 20 patients were discharged after 15 days of taking tocilizumab.
• The preliminary data demonstrates that tocilizumab could be an effective treatment for patients with severe cover-19.