It downregulates anti-fibrotic processes, mainly by modifying fibroblast activity.5 It has been shown to be effective in the inhibition of lung injury, interleukin (IL)-1, and IL-6 activity.11,12 While licensed for IPF treatment, pirfenidone had been tested on other interstitial lung diseases with limited success.13 Studies of pirfenidone’s role in pulmonary fibrosis caused by COVID-19 are ongoing, and most available studies currently consist of case reports and commentaries. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is interstitial lung disease.