The pathophysiology of COVID-19, incompletely understood, is related to a dysregulated response of the immune system, characterised by uncontrolled production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF α), by immune and non-immune effector cells [3]. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is COVID-19.