March 19, 2021

Interleukin-6 blocking agents for treating COVID-19: a living systematic review

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

Keywords (Tags): treatment

• A systematic review (10 randomized trials among 6896 people with COVID-19) found that treatment of COVID-19 patients with the IL-6 blocker tocilizumab reduces the risk of all-cause mortality over 28 days, compared standard of care (with or without placebo). On average, tocilizumab reduced the risk of death by 32 deaths per 1000 compared to standard care alone or placebo.

Ghosn, L et al. Interleukin-6 blocking agents for treating COVID-19: a living systematic review. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013881