Effectiveness of Tocilizumab in a COVID-19 Patient with Cytokine Release Syndrome

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a systemic inflammatory response that can be triggered by many factors such as infections. CRS in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is life-threatening and can occur very rapidly after COVID-19 diagnosis. Tocilizumab (TCZ), an interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitor, may ameliorate the CRS associated with severe COVID-19 and thus improve clinical outcomes. We present a case of life-threatening CRS caused by COVID-19 infection successfully treated with TCZ. LEARNING POINTS: Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a systemic inflammatory response that can be triggered by COVID-19. CRS can be life-threatening in severe COVID-19. Tocilizumab may have a role in treating severe COVID-19 patients with CRS.