4.3.1.6. Tocilizumab
Tocilizumab is an immunosuppressive drug. This is a recombinant
humanized monoclonal immunoglobulin antibody against human IL-6 . It
acts as an antagonist towards IL-6activity which is an essential member
of the human immune response . Patients with COVID-19 displayed high
levels of cytokines (cytokine storm) which included IL-6. This could be
attributed to the severity of the disease as well as the inflammation
seen . Therefore, by targeting IL-6 with Tocilizumab this symptom could
be overcome and could aid in inhibiting the progress of the disease.
This is generally the suggested treatment when there are extensive lung
lesions observed in the patient .