Reply to Richier et al

Clinical Infectious Diseases, vol. 73, pp. 2369

Abstract

To the Editor—We thank Richier and colleagues for their letter [1] regarding our paper and we appreciate the opportunity to respond [2]. Richier et al [1] provide a nuanced interpretation of the correspondence of Huang et al [3], who reported meta-analyses on 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Based on their meta-analyses, Huang et al [3] concluded that tocilizumab does not provide a beneficial effect on mortality and that there was no observed difference in serious adverse events. We agree with Richier et al [1] that judgment as to whether or not tocilizumab may be of benefit to patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) should be given more time and that results from ongoing RCTs are needed. Recently, the preliminary report from the REMAP-CAP RCT has been published showing that tocilizumab (and sarilumab) improves outcome including survival...

Authors 3

1. Jishnu Malgie Aachen Department of Orthopedics, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Orthopedics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden

2. Jan W. Schoones Aachen Directorate of Research Policy

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Directorate of Research Policy (formerly Walaeus Library), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

3. Bart G. C. W. Pijls corresponding Aachen Department of Orthopedics, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Orthopedics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden