Are there anti-inflammatory drugs available to control the immune response?

When a virus infects a person, the body fights back by triggering an immune response. In severe cases, this immune response may be exaggerated and become toxic to the body. One treatment option would be to control the immune response so that it is sufficient to eliminate the coronavirus, but not too strong to prevent the disease from getting worse. Immune processes are thus being studied in patients developing COVID-19 disease.

Immunomodulating drugs with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects (Tocilizumab type), known to treat other diseases (macrophage activation syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis), are currently being tested. Doctors are now seeking to demonstrate their effectiveness in controlling the body's immune response (cytokine storm) and thus limit the progression of the COVID-19 disease and avoid its most serious effects.