COVID-19 mortality is strongly associated with the development of severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome with the worst outcome resulting in cytokine release syndrome and multiorgan failure. It is becoming critically important to identify at the early stage of the infection those patients who are prone to develop the most adverse effects. Elevated systemic interleukin-6 levels in patients with COVID-19 are considered as a relevant parameter in predicting most severe course of disease and the need for intensive care. This review discusses the mechanisms by which IL-6 may possibly contribute to disease exacerbation and the potential of therapeutic approaches based on anti-IL-6 biologics.

COVID-19 死亡率与严重肺炎和急性呼吸窘迫综合征的发展密切相关，最糟糕的结果会导致细胞因子释放综合征和多器官衰竭。在感染的早期阶段识别那些最容易产生不良反应的患者变得至关重要。COVID-19 患者全身白细胞介素 6 水平升高被认为是预测最严重病程和重症监护需求的相关参数。本综述讨论了 IL-6 可能导致疾病恶化的机制以及基于抗 IL-6 生物制剂的治疗方法的潜力。