Initial Tests Show Arthritis Drug Does Not Treat COVID-19

Figure: The drug tocilizumab is a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. A number of clinical trials have been investigating whether its anti-inflammatory properties could aid patients hospitalized with COVID-19. MARC BRUXELLE/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO.

Results of the initial tests of anti-inflammatory drug, Tocilizumab, do not look promising.

Tocilizumab is a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and to manage the dangerous side effect of a certain cancer treatment. Thus, the drug became a candidate drug to help COVID-19 patients facing excessive inflammation. Tocilizumab blocks the activity of interleukin 6, which contributes to the immune system's inflammatory response. High amounts of the pro-inflammatory protein have been found in COVID-19 patients who had severe symptoms.

Only one out of the four clinical trials passed the mark in evaluating the efficacy of the drug. The only study that concluded that the drug was helpful had a weaker design compared to the others.

Read more details in Science News.