The article reviews the clinical and pathological features of cytokine storm in COVID-19, a severe form of the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Severe cases of COVID-19 are characterized by high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin (IL)-6, and excessive infiltration of pro-inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and T-helper 17 (Th17) cells, in lung tissues. The cytokine storm is associated with poor prognosis and can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other severe complications. The review discusses potential treatment strategies, including the use of tocilizumab, an IL-6 inhibitor, which has shown efficacy and safety in reducing cytokine levels and improving patient outcomes. Other potential treatments mentioned include corticosteroids, PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors, cytokine-adsorption devices, intravenous immunoglobulin, and antimalarial agents. The article also highlights the role of traditional Chinese medicine and artemisinin-family drugs in treating cytokine storm, based on their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. The authors emphasize the need for further clinical trials to validate these treatments and the importance of precise definitions and standardized coding for cytokine storm to facilitate research and patient care.The article reviews the clinical and pathological features of cytokine storm in COVID-19, a severe form of the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Severe cases of COVID-19 are characterized by high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin (IL)-6, and excessive infiltration of pro-inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and T-helper 17 (Th17) cells, in lung tissues. The cytokine storm is associated with poor prognosis and can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other severe complications. The review discusses potential treatment strategies, including the use of tocilizumab, an IL-6 inhibitor, which has shown efficacy and safety in reducing cytokine levels and improving patient outcomes. Other potential treatments mentioned include corticosteroids, PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors, cytokine-adsorption devices, intravenous immunoglobulin, and antimalarial agents. The article also highlights the role of traditional Chinese medicine and artemisinin-family drugs in treating cytokine storm, based on their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. The authors emphasize the need for further clinical trials to validate these treatments and the importance of precise definitions and standardized coding for cytokine storm to facilitate research and patient care.