IL6 and COVID-19: Cytokine storms showed no association with TEX in PBMC of COVID-19; however, in lung cancer, especially LUSC, an interleukin-6-related cytokine storm was observed.35 In our study, the cytokine storm-related genes and corresponding receptor genes found in severe COVID-19, were significantly correlated with each other in LUSC, and these cytokines had strongly positive correlation with PD-1 expression.