Anakinra, COVID-19, Cytokine Storm

The clinical syndrome associated with infection of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is notable for its variable clinical expression. Infection and transmission of the virus by asymptomatic individuals have been noted and represent one end of the clinical spectrum, while multi-organ failure, particularly pulmonary failure, and death represent the most severe end of the clinical spectrum. In a recent study published from the investigator's institution about the first 393 patients with COVID-19, 77.1% had a fever, a mechanism driven by IL-1. This suggests that there may be an excess release of IL-1 present. Cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) has been observed in patients with COVID-19 and has been proposed to contribute to the acute pulmonary failure that occurs. In distinct clinical settings, macrophage activation syndrome, elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, and others, as well as elevations in laboratory indicators, including ferritin, CRP, d-dimer, and lymphopenia, have been observed. IL-1 production is induced in response to inflammatory stimuli and mediates various physiologic responses including inflammatory and immunological responses. Anakinra, a recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist, has shown promise in treating CSS. It inhibits both IL-1-alpha and IL-1-beta. It is an FDA approved medication used in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS). Anakinra's ability to inhibit both IL-1 subtypes and short half-life makes it favorable to some experts. In the investigator's case-series, using anakinra in patients with COVID-19 showed promising in preventing the need for mechanical ventilation, and mortality subsequently. This study will determine the efficacy of anakinra, an interleukin (IL) -1 receptor blocker, in reducing the need for mechanical ventilation and/or 28-day mortality among patients with COVID-19 who have features of CSS and severe respiratory failure. The investigators will test t