<p>The arthritis drug tocilizumab has shown early promise in preventing extreme inflammation in gravely ill COVID-19 patients, according to a French clinical study.</p>.<p>The treatment, which suppresses the body's natural immune response, was found to reduce "significantly" the number of deaths or life support interventions compared with a control group of patients.</p>.<p>The study, carried out by the Paris university hospital trust (AP-HP), looked at 129 people hospitalised with moderate or severe viral pneumonia, which occurs in 5-10 percent of COVID-19 patients.</p>.<p>Half received two injections of tocilizumab as well as standard treatment with antibiotics, while the control group received only standard treatment.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-india-sees-lowest-daily-growth-rate-tally-crosses-26k-concerns-mount-over-maharashtra-827545.html?_ga=2.183437158.112836468.1587893299-1897853262.1587057442" target="_blank">For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>While the results are yet to be published, those involved in the research said it showed clear "clinical benefit" of tocilizumab treatment.</p>.<p>AP-HP said it had decided to publicise the study before publishing official results "for public health reasons".</p>.<p>They stressed however that further research was needed on the effectiveness of the drug and the potential for side effects.</p>.<p>Tocilizumab, sold under the brand names Actemra and RoAcemtra, is commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.</p>.<p>It is a lab-synthesised antibody that inhibits against a specific protein receptor involved in the body's natural immune response.</p>.<p>Researchers believe the drug might be able to stave off a state of heightened immune response known as cytokine storms -- where the body's reaction to a foreign body such as a disease or chemical creates acute inflammation.</p>.<p>Cytokine storms can be deadly and occur in severely ill COVID-19 patients.</p>.<p>Tocilizumab currently costs around 800 euros ($870) per injection.</p>.<p>Several existing drugs, including anti-viral medicines, are currently being trialled worldwide for COVID-19 treatment.</p>
<p>The arthritis drug tocilizumab has shown early promise in preventing extreme inflammation in gravely ill COVID-19 patients, according to a French clinical study.</p>.<p>The treatment, which suppresses the body's natural immune response, was found to reduce "significantly" the number of deaths or life support interventions compared with a control group of patients.</p>.<p>The study, carried out by the Paris university hospital trust (AP-HP), looked at 129 people hospitalised with moderate or severe viral pneumonia, which occurs in 5-10 percent of COVID-19 patients.</p>.<p>Half received two injections of tocilizumab as well as standard treatment with antibiotics, while the control group received only standard treatment.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-india-sees-lowest-daily-growth-rate-tally-crosses-26k-concerns-mount-over-maharashtra-827545.html?_ga=2.183437158.112836468.1587893299-1897853262.1587057442" target="_blank">For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>While the results are yet to be published, those involved in the research said it showed clear "clinical benefit" of tocilizumab treatment.</p>.<p>AP-HP said it had decided to publicise the study before publishing official results "for public health reasons".</p>.<p>They stressed however that further research was needed on the effectiveness of the drug and the potential for side effects.</p>.<p>Tocilizumab, sold under the brand names Actemra and RoAcemtra, is commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.</p>.<p>It is a lab-synthesised antibody that inhibits against a specific protein receptor involved in the body's natural immune response.</p>.<p>Researchers believe the drug might be able to stave off a state of heightened immune response known as cytokine storms -- where the body's reaction to a foreign body such as a disease or chemical creates acute inflammation.</p>.<p>Cytokine storms can be deadly and occur in severely ill COVID-19 patients.</p>.<p>Tocilizumab currently costs around 800 euros ($870) per injection.</p>.<p>Several existing drugs, including anti-viral medicines, are currently being trialled worldwide for COVID-19 treatment.</p>