Proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon (IFN) γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and IL-18 play a major role in immune response to viral infections; however, triggering of a hyperimmune state characterized by excessive and dysregulated release of these cytokines, so called “cytokine storm”, has been defined as a major cause of mortality and morbidity in COVID-19. This evidence concerns the gene IL1B and COVID-19.