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Introduction: The mechanisms of action of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) are complex and involve an interplay of immune system components. People with MS (PwMS) may lack a clear understanding of the immunological pathways involved in MS and its treatment; effective communication between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and PwMS is needed to facilitate shared decision-making when discussing the disease and selecting DMTs and is particularly important in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era. Methods: In this patient-authored two-part review, we performed a targeted literature search to assess the need for better communication between HCPs and PwMS regarding treatment selection, and also conducted a qualitative survey of four patient and care-partner authors to obtain insights regarding their understanding of and preferences for the treatment and management of MS. Results: Following a search of the Embase and MEDLINE databases using Ovid in June 2020, an analysis of 40 journal articles and conference abstracts relating to patient empowerment and decision-making in DMT selection for MS showed a preference for safety and efficacy of treatments, followed by autonomy and convenience of administration. A need for better communication between HCPs and PwMS during treatment selection to improve patient satisfaction was also identified. The open survey responses from the patient authors revealed a need for greater involvement in decision-making processes and desire for improved communication and information tools. Conclusions: This targeted literature search and phenomenological review confirms PwMS preferences for empowered decision-making in disease management and treatment selection, to optimize independence, safety, and efficacy. It also identifies an unmet need for improved communication and information tools that convey MS information in a relatable manner. Furthermore, this review seeks to address this unmet need by providing plain language figures and descriptions of MS immune mechanisms that can be used to facilitate discussions between HCPs and PwMS. Plain Language Summary: In multiple sclerosis (MS), there are different cells in the immune system that contribute to the disease. The main cells in the immune system are T and B cells. People with MS (PwMS) might not be familiar with details about the immune system, and healthcare professionals might not always communicate details about how treatments work clearly to PwMS when choosing treatments with them. It is important for PwMS to have all the information they need to help make decisions about treatments. This information needs to be given in a way they can understand. This is especially important during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In this paper, we first looked at what research has already been published about what is most important to PwMS when making treatment decisions. The existing research says that safety and effectiveness are the most important things and that PwMS prefer treatments that they can take themselves. PwMS also need better communication and information from doctors to make decisions and to help explain how MS treatments work in the body. Next, we gave a survey to the patients who are authors of this paper to ask about what is important to them when making treatment decisions. Their answers were very similar to the existing research. Overall, PwMS need better communication from healthcare professionals about the immune system. This paper also includes plain language descriptions and figures to help healthcare professionals explain and discuss the importance of the immune system in MS with PwMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Tocilizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody which targets and inhibits interleukin-6 (IL-6) and has demonstrated efficacy in treating diseases associated with hyper-inflammation. Data are suggestive of tocilizumab as a potential treatment for patients with COVID-19 infection. The aim of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of standard dose versus low dose tocilizumab in adults with severe, non-critical, PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection with evidence of progressive decline in respiratory function and evolving systemic inflammation on time to intubation, non-invasive ventilation and/or all-cause mortality.Trial Design: This trial is a phase 2, open label, two-stage, multicentre, randomised trial.Participants: Adult subjects with severe, non-critical, PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection with evidence of progressive decline in respiratory function and evolving systemic inflammation requiring admission to hospital at St. Vincent's University Hospital and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Inclusion criteria Aged 18 years or older. Confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection (as defined by positive PCR). Evidence of hyper inflammatory state as evidenced by at least three of the following: Documented temperature >38°C in the past 48 hours, IL6 >40 pg/ml, or in its absence D-dimer >1.5 μgFEU /ml, Elevated CRP (>100mg/L) and/or a three-fold increase since presentation, Elevated ferritin X5 ULN, Elevated LDH (above the ULN), Elevated fibrinogen (above the ULN). Pulmonary infiltrates on chest imaging. Moderate to severe respiratory failure as defined by PaO2/FiO2≤300mmHg.Intervention and Comparator: Intervention for participants in this trial is SOC plus Tocilizumab compared to SOC alone (comparator). For Stage 1, following randomisation, subjects will receive either (Arm 1) SOC alone or (Arm 2) SOC plus Tocilizumab (standard single dose - 8mg/kg, infused over 60 minutes. Once stage 1 has fully recruited, subsequent participants will be enrolled directly into Stage 2 and receive either (Arm 1) SOC plus Tocilizumab (standard single dose - 8mg/kg, infused over 60 minutes or (Arm 2) SOC plus Tocilizumab (standard single dose - 4mg/kg, infused over 60 minutes).Main Outcomes: The primary endpoint for this study is the time to a composite primary endpoint of progression to intubation and ventilation, non-invasive ventilation or death within 28 days post randomisation.Randomisation: Eligible patients will be randomised (1:1) using a central register. Randomisation will be performed through an interactive, web-based electronic data capturing database. In stage 1, eligible participants will be randomised (1:1) to (Arm 1) SOC alone or to (Arm 2) SOC with single dose (8mg/kg, maximum 800mg) intravenous tocilizumab infused over 60 minutes. In stage 2, eligible participants will be randomised (1:1) to receive either (Arm 1) single, standard dose (8mg/kg, maximum 800mg) intravenous tocilizumab infused over 60 minutes or (Arm 2) reduced dose (4mg/kg, maximum 800mg) intravenous tocilizumab infused over 60 minutes.Blinding: This study is open label. The study will not be blinded to investigators, subjects, or medical or nursing staff. The trial statistician will be blinded for data analysis and will be kept unaware of treatment group assignments. To facilitate this, the randomisation schedule will be drawn up by an independent statistician and objective criteria were defined for the primary outcome to minimize potential bias.Numbers To Be Randomised: In stage 1, 90 subjects will be randomised 1:1, 45 to SOC and 45 subjects to SOC plus Tocilizumab (8mg/kg, infused over 60 minutes). In stage 2, sample size calculation for the dose evaluation stage will use data generated from stage 1 using the same primary endpoint as in stage 1.Trial Status: The COVIRL002 trial (Protocol version 1.4, 13th May 2020) commenced in May 2020 at St. Vincent's University Hospital and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Recruitment is proceeding with the aim to achieve the target sample size on or before April 2021.Trial Registration: COVIRL002 was registered 25 June 2020 under EudraCT number: 2020-001767-86 and Protocol identification: UCDCRC/20/02.Full Protocol: The full protocol for COVIRL002 is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. The study protocol has been reported in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Clinical Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines (Additional file 2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]