In COVID-19 patients, plasma IL-6 levels are elevated (Ranucci et al., 2020), prompting the clinical trial investigation of therapeutics that target IL-6 (siltuximab, NCT04329650), its receptor (tocilizumab, NCT04377659), its cell signals [e.g. Janus kinases, JAKs (baricitinib, NCT04373044) and downstream production of IL-17 (secukinumab, NCT04403243)] (Schett et al., 2020). The gene discussed is IL17A; the disease is COVID-19.