Abstract
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and resulting COVID-19 infection has spread from a cluster of unidentified pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China, into an ongoing global health crisis. The strain on the healthcare systems and loss of human life has made finding ways to treat severe COVID-19 infections of the utmost importance. Mortality from COVID-19 has been shown to result from an overwhelming inflammatory response similar to the cytokine release syndrome seen in certain autoimmune reactions (Tleyjeh et al., 2020). It also can be seen after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy for certain cancers. It is hypothesized that treatments targeting the prevention of the “cytokine storm” would improve patient outcomes. One of the specific intended targets is that of interleukin 6 (IL-6), one of the pro-inflammatory cytokines found in the cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Tocilizumab is a medication that is potentially given post CAR-T therapy to prevent CRS (Campochiaro et al., 2020) This medication works by inhibiting IL-6 and halting the immune response that triggers the inflammatory cascade. This review of the literature examines the efficacy of tocilizumab in the treatment of severe COVID-19 infections.
Date of Completion of Thesis/SIP
Fall 12-8-2021
Document Type
Scholarly Inquiry Paper (SIP)
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Julie Ponto
Second Advisor
Kimberly Langer
Recommended Citation
Peterson, Amanda Vancene, "The Efficacy of Tocilizumab as a Therapeutic Treatment for SARS-CoV-2 Infections: An Integrative Literature Review" (2021). Nursing Masters Papers. 398.
https://openriver.winona.edu/nursingmasters/398
