High levels of TNF α in patients with COVID-19 refractory to tocilizumab

Recently, Feldmann et al. in Lancet suggested investigating TNF alpha blocker therapies for patients with COVID-19 at high risk of developing a life-threatening form1. The cytokine release syndrome and immuno-thrombosis induced by Sars-CoV2 mostly explains the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)2,3. In a recent issue of Nature Medicine, Del Valle et al. reported the plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α and IL-1β in patients hospitalized for COVID-197. They highlighted in a comprehensive multivariate analysis that high plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-α remained significantly associated with a poor prognosis of patients with COVID-197.

Source: European Journal of Cancer - March 20, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: F.X. Danlos, F. Ackermann, J. Rohmer, M. Roumier, A. Marabelle, J.M. Michot Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research