To the Editor:
In recent commentaries from Lancet Rheumatology and The Journal of Rheumatology1,2, the authors eloquently illustrated the connection between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, the subsequent cytokine storm (CS) that ensues in a number of patients, and the potential efficacy of biologics that rheumatologists routinely use in their practices. Moreover, those biologics were originally investigated by rheumatologists for the treatment of numerous rheumatic conditions, including macrophage activating syndrome (MAS), a similar form of storm that resembles the one occurring in patients with COVID-193. The authors therefore conclude that rheumatologists could provide a helpful perspective in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Thoracic Medicine and Surgery (TMS) Department and the Rheumatology Division at Temple University Hospital …
Address correspondence to Dr. R. Caricchio, Temple University School of Medicine, 3322 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA. Email: roc{at}temple.edu.