Immunotherapeutic implications of IL-6 blockade for cytokine storm. (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tanaka, Toshio; Narazaki, Masashi; Kishimoto, Tadamitsu
• Is Part Of: Immunotherapy. Volume 8:Number 8(2016:Aug.)
• Page Start: 959
• Page End: 970
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: cytokine storm -- IL-6 -- interleukin-6 -- sepsis -- tocilizumab; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.37
• DOI: 10.2217/imt-2016-0020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-743X

Abstract

IL-6 contributes to host defense against infections and tissue injuries. However, exaggerated, excessive synthesis of IL-6 while fighting environmental stress leads to an acute severe systemic inflammatory response known as 'cytokine storm', since high levels of IL-6 can activate the coagulation pathway and vascular endothelial cells but inhibit myocardial function. Remarkable beneficial effects of IL-6 blockade therapy using a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, tocilizumab were recently observed in patients with cytokine release syndrome complicated by T-cell engaged therapy. In this review we propose the possibility that IL-6 blockade may constitute a novel therapeutic strategy for other types of cytokine storm, such as the systemic inflammatory response syndrome including sepsis, macrophage activation syndrome and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.