Reports that the use of the rheumatoid arthritis drug tocilizumab can reduce the risk of death from COVID-19 have been widely circulated.Â
ARD published a paper back in July 2020 on this topic: Historically controlled comparison of glucocorticoids with or without tocilizumab versus supportive care only in patients with COVID-19-associated cytokine storm syndrome: results of the CHIC study.
This study showed that a course of high-dose methylprednisolone, followed by tocilizumab if needed, may accelerate respiratory recovery, lower hospital mortality and reduce the likelihood of invasive mechanical ventilation in COVID-19-associated cytokine storm syndrome.
The paper is free to access. There is also an associated video abstract and audio podcast.