Tocilizumab improves survival in severe COVID-19 pneumonia with persistent hypoxia: A retrospective cohort study with follow-up from Mumbai, India

Abstract Background: Cytokine storm triggered by Severe Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high mortality. With high ‘Interlukin -6’ (IL-6) levels reported in COVID-19 related deaths in China1, IL-6 is considered to be the key player in COVID-19 cytokine storm. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody against IL-6 receptor, is used on compassionate grounds for treatment of COVID-19 cytokine storm. The aim of this study was to assess effect of tocilizumab on mortality due to COVID-19 cytokine storm.Method: This retrospective, observational study included patients of severe COVID-19 pneumonia with persistent hypoxia (defined as saturation 94% or less on supplemental Oxygen of 15 L per minute through non-rebreathing mask or PaO2/FiO2 ratio of less than 200) who were admitted to a tertiary care center in Mumbai, India, between 31st March to 5th July 2020. In addition to standard care, single Inj. Tocilizumab 400mg was given intravenously to 151 consecutive COVID-19 patients with persistent hypoxia, from 13th May to 5th July 2020. These 151 patients were retrospectively analysed and compared with historic controls, i.e consecutive COVID-19 patients with persistent hypoxia, defined as stated above (N=118, from our first COVID-19 admission on 31st March to 12th May 2020 i.e, till tocilizumab was available in hospital). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed for identifying predictors of survival. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 26. Results: On multivariate Cox regression analysis, independent predictors of survival were use of tocilizumab (HR 0.621, 95% CI 0.427-0.903, P 0.013) and higher oxygen saturation.Conclusion: Tocilizumab improved survival in severe COVID-19 pneumonia with persistent hypoxia