Arthritis drug shows promise in coronavirus

The interleukin-1 blocker, anakinra, appears to dampen the cytokine storm, shows Italian study
Australian Associated Press

An arthritis drug appears to improve respiratory symptoms and reduce signs of cytokine storm in nearly three-quarters of patients with COVID-19, in a small retrospective study from Italy.

The researchers say the study into treatment with the interleukin-1 blocker anakinra is the first to suggest that a high dose of the drug may block the immune system’s overreaction caused by the virus.