A significant pathophysiological feature of severe and critical COVID-19 cases is cytokine release syndrome (CRS) (6, 7), in which interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and various cytokines are released in large quantities by various immune and non-immune cells, thereby triggering potent cytokine storm and tissue damages (8–11). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is COVID-19.