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Shojaee A, Rafiee R, Hosseinzadeh M, Saboori M. Prognostic value of interleukin-6 serum levels in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A case-control study in Iran. Health Sci Rep 2024; 7:e2232. [PMID: 38978767 PMCID: PMC11228099 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is an infectious disease with a high mortality rate that is challenging to treat. Cytokine storm is a crucial factor leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19 patients. Identifying factors that predict the severity of the disease may be primarily prognostic to guide drug therapy. The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic role of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the hospitalized patients infected with COVID-19. Methods This case-control study was conducted from October 2019 to April 2020 at Shahid Faqihi hospital in Iran. Fifty hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 50 healthy individuals were included while controlling demographics and comorbidities. IL-6 serum levels were measured and compared based on demographic characteristics (age, sex) and comorbidities in the case and control groups. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was also used to analyze the correlations between IL-6 levels and lung involvement in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, some laboratory parameters were compared based on the percentage of lung involvement. Results The level of IL-6 in the case group was significantly higher than the control (p ˂ 0.001). We observed a positive and significant correlation between the level of IL-6 and the severity of lung involvement (r = 0.0.79, p < 0.01). The median level of IL-6 in patients who showed more than 75% lung involvement was 573 (IQR = 320-850). Conclusion Available evidence suggests that high levels of IL-6 are associated with the severity of COVID-19. According to the results, it could be proposed that inhibition of IL-6 might be a target for therapeutic managements to reduce mortality in the patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asiyeh Shojaee
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Amol University of Special Modern Technologies Amol Iran
| | - Reza Rafiee
- Department of Pathology Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran
| | | | - Mohamad Saboori
- Department of Pathology Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran
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2
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Tseng PT, Zeng BS, Hsu CW, Thompson T, Stubbs B, Hsueh PR, Su KP, Chen YW, Chen TY, Wu YC, Lin PY, Carvalho AF, Li DJ, Yeh TC, Sun CK, Cheng YS, Shiue YL, Liang CS, Tu YK. The difference in all-cause mortality between COVID-19 patients treated with standard of care plus placebo and those treated with standard of care alone: a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of immunomodulatory kinase inhibitors. J R Soc Med 2024; 117:57-68. [PMID: 37971412 PMCID: PMC10949870 DOI: 10.1177/01410768231202657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to assess whether participants assigned to a placebo and standard of care (SoC) group had different major coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related outcomes than those assigned to SoC alone. DESIGN Frequentist model-based NMA. SETTING We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of Janus kinase/Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the management of COVID-19. PARTICIPANTS Patients with COVID-19 infection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the 28-day all-cause mortality, and secondary outcomes were: (1) use of mechanical ventilation; (2) secondary bacterial infection; (3) acceptability (i.e. drop-out rate); and (4) safety (i.e. serious adverse events). We conducted an NMA using the frequentist model. Effect sizes were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS We identified 14 eligible RCTs enrolling a total of 13,568 participants with COVID-19. Participants assigned to placebo plus SoC had a significantly higher risk of 28-day all-cause mortality than those receiving SoC alone (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.07-1.79). This finding did not change substantially by subgroup analysis stratified by epidemiology factor, pandemic history progression and statistical methodologic consideration. In addition, none of the treatments investigated were associated with a significantly different risk of secondary bacterial infection, acceptability or safety compared with the SoC group. CONCLUSIONS This NMA suggested a higher all-cause mortality in patients treated with placebo plus SoC compared with those treated with SoC alone. However, caution is advised in interpreting these results due to the absence of a direct head-to-head comparison. Future research should critically evaluate the necessity of placebo administration in COVID-19 RCTs and consider alternative study designs to minimise potential biases.Trial registration: The current study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan (TSGHIRB No. B-109-29) and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022376217).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Tao Tseng
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan
- Prospect Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology & Neurology, Kaohsiung, 811, Taiwan
- Institute of Precision Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung City, 80424, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Syuan Zeng
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Cancer Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, 824, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Hsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan
| | - Trevor Thompson
- Centre for Chronic Illness and Ageing, University of Greenwich, London, SE10 9LS, UK
| | - Brendon Stubbs
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, WC2R 2LS, UK
- Physiotherapy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, BR3 3BX, UK
- Faculty of Health, Social Care Medicine and Education, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, CB1 1PT, UK
| | - Po-Ren Hsueh
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Pin Su
- College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan
- Mind-Body Interface Research Center (MBI-Lab), China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- An-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan 709, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Wen Chen
- Prospect Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology & Neurology, Kaohsiung, 811, Taiwan
| | - Tien-Yu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital; School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 11490, Taiwan
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Cheng Wu
- Department of Sports Medicine, Landseed International Hospital, Taoyuan, 32449, Taiwan
| | - Pao-Yen Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan
- Institute for Translational Research in Biomedical Sciences, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan
| | - Andre F Carvalho
- Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Treatment (IMPACT) Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Dian-Jeng Li
- Department of Addiction Science, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung City, 802211, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chuan Yeh
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital; School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 11490, Taiwan
| | - Cheuk-Kwan Sun
- Department of Emergency Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, 824, Taiwan
- School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University Kaohsiung, 824, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Shian Cheng
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Tsyr-Huey Mental Hospital, Kaohsiung Jen-Ai’s Home, Kaohsiung, 831, Taiwan
| | - Yow-Ling Shiue
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan
- Institute of Precision Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung City, 80424, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Sung Liang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 11490, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Kang Tu
- Institute of Health Data Analytics & Statistics, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
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3
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Sweet DR, Freeman ML, Zidar DA. Immunohematologic Biomarkers in COVID-19: Insights into Pathogenesis, Prognosis, and Prevention. Pathog Immun 2023; 8:17-50. [PMID: 37427016 PMCID: PMC10324469 DOI: 10.20411/pai.v8i1.572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had profound effects on the health of individuals and on healthcare systems worldwide. While healthcare workers on the frontlines have fought to quell multiple waves of infection, the efforts of the larger research community have changed the arch of this pandemic as well. This review will focus on biomarker discovery and other efforts to identify features that predict outcomes, and in so doing, identify possible effector and passenger mechanisms of adverse outcomes. Identifying measurable soluble factors, cell-types, and clinical parameters that predict a patient's disease course will have a legacy for the study of immunologic responses, especially stimuli, which induce an overactive, yet ineffectual immune system. As prognostic biomarkers were identified, some have served to represent pathways of therapeutic interest in clinical trials. The pandemic conditions have created urgency for accelerated target identification and validation. Collectively, these COVID-19 studies of biomarkers, disease outcomes, and therapeutic efficacy have revealed that immunologic systems and responses to stimuli are more heterogeneous than previously assumed. Understanding the genetic and acquired features that mediate divergent immunologic outcomes in response to this global exposure is ongoing and will ultimately improve our preparedness for future pandemics, as well as impact preventive approaches to other immunologic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Sweet
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
| | - Michael L. Freeman
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - David A. Zidar
- Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
- Cardiology Section, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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Akter R, Rahman MR, Ahmed ZS, Afrose A. Plausibility of natural immunomodulators in the treatment of COVID-19-A comprehensive analysis and future recommendations. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17478. [PMID: 37366526 PMCID: PMC10284624 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted millions of deaths worldwide. Despite the availability of several vaccines and some special drugs approved for emergency use to prevent or treat this disease still, there is a huge concern regarding their effectiveness, adverse effects, and most importantly, their efficacy against the new variants. A cascade of immune-inflammatory responses is involved with the pathogenesis and severe complications with COVID-19. People with dysfunctional and compromised immune systems display severe complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, multiple organ failure etc., when they get infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Plant-derived natural immune-suppressant compounds, such as resveratrol, quercetin, curcumin, berberine, luteolin, etc., have been reported to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Therefore, natural products with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory potential could be plausible targets to treat this contagious disease. This review aims to delineate the clinical trials status and outcomes of natural compounds with immunomodulatory potential in COVID-19 patients along with the outcomes of their in-vivo studies. In clinical trials several natural immunomodulators resulted in significant improvement of COVID-19 patients by diminishing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, and breathlessness. Most importantly, they reduced the duration of hospitalization and the need for supplemental oxygen therapy, improved clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19, especially weakness, and eliminated acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This paper also discusses many potent natural immunomodulators yet to undergo clinical trials. In-vivo studies with natural immunomodulators demonstrated reduction of a wide range of proinflammatory cytokines. Natural immunomodulators that were found effective, safe, and well tolerated in small-scale clinical trials are warranted to undergo large-scale trials to be used as drugs to treat COVID-19 infections. Alongside, compounds yet to test clinically must undergo clinical trials to find their effectiveness and safety in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raushanara Akter
- School of Pharmacy, Brac University, 66 Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Rashidur Rahman
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, 7408, Bangladesh
| | - Zainab Syed Ahmed
- School of Pharmacy, Brac University, 66 Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Afrina Afrose
- School of Pharmacy, Brac University, 66 Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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5
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Ferrarini A, Vacca A, Solimando AG, Tavio M, Acquaviva R, Rocchi M, Nitti C, Salvi A, Menditto V, Luchetti Gentiloni MM, Russo A, Moretti M, Pavani M, Giacometti A, Bonifazi M, Zuccatosta L, Romani L, Racanelli V, Moroncini G, Gabrielli A, Pomponio G. Early administration of tofacitinib in COVID-19 pneumonitis: An open randomised controlled trial. Eur J Clin Invest 2023; 53:e13898. [PMID: 36380693 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Controversies on sub-populations most sensitive to therapy and the best timing of starting the treatment still surround the use of immunomodulatory drugs in COVID-19. OBJECTIVES We designed a multicentre open-label randomised controlled trial to test the effect of prompt adding of tofacitinib to standard therapy for hospitalised patients affected by mild/moderate COVID-19 pneumonitis. METHODS Patients admitted to three Italian hospitals affected by COVID-19 pneumonitis not requiring mechanical ventilation were randomised to receive standard treatment alone or tofacitinib (10 mg/bid) for 2 weeks, starting within the first 24 h from admission. RESULTS A total of 116 patients were randomised; 49 in the experimental arm completed the 14-day treatment period, 9 discontinued tofacitinib as the disease worsened and were included in the analysis, and 1 died of respiratory failure. All 58 control patients completed the study. Clinical and demographic characteristics were similar between the study groups. In the tofacitinib group, 9/58 (15.5%) patients progressed to noninvasive ventilation (CPAP) to maintain SO2 > 93%, invasive mechanical ventilation or death by day 14 was 15.5%, significantly less than in the control group (20/58, 34.4%, RR 0,45, RRR -55%, NNT 5; p = .018). No differences in severe adverse effect incidence had been observed across the groups. CONCLUSION High-dose tofacitinib therapy in patients with COVID pneumonitis is safe and may prevent deterioration to respiratory failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Ferrarini
- Clinica Medica, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy.,Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia Digestiva, Ospedali Riuniti Marche Nord, Fano, Italy
| | - Angelo Vacca
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana U.O.C, Medicina Interna Universitaria "G. Baccelli" A.O.U.C, Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana U.O.C, Medicina Interna Universitaria "G. Baccelli" A.O.U.C, Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Marcello Tavio
- Malattie Infettive, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Rossella Acquaviva
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana U.O.C, Medicina Interna Universitaria "G. Baccelli" A.O.U.C, Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Rocchi
- Statistica Medica, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università di Urbino, Urbino, Italy
| | - Cinzia Nitti
- Medicina Interna e Sub Intensiva, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Aldo Salvi
- Medicina Interna e Sub Intensiva, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Menditto
- Medicina Interna e Sub Intensiva, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Russo
- Clinica di Malattie Infettive e Tropicali Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche Università "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marco Moretti
- SOD Medicina di Laboratorio Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marianna Pavani
- SOD Medicina di Laboratorio Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Andrea Giacometti
- Clinica di Malattie Infettive, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | | | | | - Laura Romani
- Clinica Medica, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana U.O.C, Medicina Interna Universitaria "G. Baccelli" A.O.U.C, Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluca Moroncini
- Clinica Medica, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Molecolari, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Armando Gabrielli
- Clinica Medica, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Molecolari, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
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6
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Khazaaleh S, Alomari M, Sharma S, Kapila N, Zervos XB, Gonzalez AJ. COVID-19 in liver transplant patients: Impact and considerations. World J Transplant 2023; 13:1-9. [PMID: 36687560 PMCID: PMC9850867 DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v13.i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has significantly impacted liver tran splantation worldwide, leading to major effects on the transplant process, including the pretransplant, perioperative, and post-transplant periods. It is believed that patients with chronic liver disease, especially those with cirrhosis, have a higher risk of complications from coronavirus disease 2019 infection compared to the general population. However, evaluation of coronavirus disease 2019 effects on liver transplant patients has not uniformly demonstrated worse outcomes. Nonetheless, the pandemic created significant challenges and restrictions on transplant policies and organ allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrouq Khazaaleh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital, Cleveland, OH 44126, United States
| | - Mohammad Alomari
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL 33331, United States
| | - Sanskriti Sharma
- Department of Internal Medicine, WellStar Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta, GA 30312, United States
| | - Nikhil Kapila
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL 33331, United States
| | - Xaralambos Bobby Zervos
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL 33331, United States
| | - Adalberto Jose Gonzalez
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL 33331, United States
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION As the third year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic approaches, COVID-19 continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality due to waning vaccine efficacy and the emergence of new, highly contagious subvariants and better therapies are urgently needed. AREAS COVERED Hospitalized patients who develop hypoxia due to SARS-CoV-2 infection are typically treated with an antiviral agent, remdesivir, as well as an immunomodulator, dexamethasone, but mortality rates for severe COVID-19 remain unacceptably high. Mounting evidence suggests a second immunomodulator added to the standard of care may benefit some hospitalized patients; however, the optimal treatment remains controversial. EXPERT OPINION On 2 June 2022, the United States National Institutes of Health reported results from a large, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial known as ACTIV-1. The study found a mortality benefit and substantially improved clinical status for adults hospitalized with COVID-19 who were treated with infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits TNF-α, and is widely used to treat a variety of autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. This manuscript reviews what is known about infliximab as an immunomodulator for patients with COVID-19 and explores how this agent may be used in the future to address the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P Velez
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Karlafti E, Paramythiotis D, Pantazi K, Georgakopoulou VE, Kaiafa G, Papalexis P, Protopapas AA, Ztriva E, Fyntanidou V, Savopoulos C. Drug-Induced Liver Injury in Hospitalized Patients during SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58121848. [PMID: 36557050 PMCID: PMC9782075 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58121848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, the world has had to face the SARS-CoV-2 infection and its multiple effects. Even though COVID-19 was first considered to be a respiratory disease, it has an extended clinical spectrum with symptoms occurring in many tissues, and it is now identified as a systematic disease. Therefore, various drugs are used during the therapy of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Studies have shown that many of these drugs could have adverse side-effects, including drug-induced liver injury-also known as DILI-which is the focus of our review. Despite the consistent findings, the pathophysiological mechanism behind DILI in COVID-19 disease is still complex, and there are a few risk factors related to it. However, when it comes to the diagnosis, there are specific algorithms (including the RUCAM algorithm) and biomarkers that can assist in identifying DILI and which we will analyze in our review. As indicated by the title, a variety of drugs are associated with this COVID-19-related complication, including systemic corticosteroids, drugs used for the therapy of uncontrolled cytokine storm, as well as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulant drugs. Bearing in mind that hepatotoxicity is very likely to occur during COVID-19, especially in patients treated with multiple medications, we will also refer to the use of other drugs used for DILI therapy in an effort to control and prevent a severe and long-term outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Karlafti
- Emergency Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
- First Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +231-330-3110
| | - Daniel Paramythiotis
- First Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantina Pantazi
- First Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Georgia Kaiafa
- First Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Petros Papalexis
- Unit of Endocrinology, First Department of Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
| | - Adonis A. Protopapas
- First Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleftheria Ztriva
- First Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Varvara Fyntanidou
- Emergency Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christos Savopoulos
- First Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Cherian JJ, Eerike M, Bagepally BS, Das S, Panda S. Efficacy and safety of baricitinib and tocilizumab in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A comparison using systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1004308. [PMID: 36330085 PMCID: PMC9624173 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1004308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: This review was performed to compare the efficacy and safety among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who received baricitinib and those who received tocilizumab independently with placebo or the standard of care (SOC). Methods: Relevant databases were searched for randomized controlled trials which evaluated the effect of baricitinib or tocilizumab as compared to placebo or the SOC in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The primary endpoint was the comparison of the 28-day mortality. Risk ratios (RR) and mean differences were compared and pooled for dichotomous and continuous variables, respectively. A two-staged exploratory network meta-analysis using a multivariate meta-analysis was also performed. All analyses were performed in Stata version 16.0. The GRADE approach was used to assess the quality of the generated evidence (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022323363). Results: Treatment with baricitinib [RR, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.50-0.94), p = 0.02, i2 = 64.86%] but not with tocilizumab [RR, 0.87 (95% CI, 0.71-1.07), p = 0.19, i2 = 24.41%] led to a significant improvement in the 28-day mortality as compared to that with the SOC. Treatment with baricitinib or tocilizumab, both independently led to a significant reduction in the duration of hospitalization [baricitinib: mean difference, -1.13 days (95% CI, -1.51 to -0.76), p < 0.001, i2 = 0.00%; tocilizumab: mean difference, -2.80 days (95% CI, -4.17 to -1.43), p < 0.001, i2 = 55.47%] and a significant improvement in the proportion of patients recovering clinically by day 28 [baricitinib: RR, 1.24 (95% CI, 1.03-1.48), p = 0.02, i2 = 27.20%; tocilizumab: RR, 1.41 (95% CI, 1.12-1.78), p < 0.001, i2 = 34.59%] as compared to those with the SOC. From the safety point of view, both these drugs showed similar results. There were fewer patients who experienced any serious adverse event following treatment with barictinib and tocilizumab as compared to those following treatment with the SOC [baricitinib: RR, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.62-0.92), p = 0.01, i2 = 12.63%; tocilizumab: RR, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.72-1.01), p = 0.07, i2 = 0.00%]. Conclusion: As baricitinib and tocilizumab are recommended interchangeably by various guidelines for the management of COVID-19, considering the better 28-day mortality data and other comparable efficacy and safety outcomes, baricitinib may be favored over tocilizumab considering its ease of administration, shorter half-life, and lower cost of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Madhavi Eerike
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibinagar, India
| | | | - Saibal Das
- Indian Council of Medical Research – Centre for Ageing and Mental Health, Kolkata, India
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Samiran Panda
- Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
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Honey as an Adjuvant in the Treatment of COVID-19 Infection: A Review. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12157800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Since ancestor times, honey has been used to promote human health due to its medicinal, and nutritious properties, mainly due to bioactive compounds present, such as phenolic compounds. The emergence of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, led to the pursuit of solutions for the treatment of symptoms and/or disease. Honey has proven to be effective against viral infections, principally due to its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that attenuate oxidative damage induced by pathogens, and by improving the immune system. Therefore, the aim of this review is to overview the abilities of honey to attenuate different COVID-19 symptoms, highlighting the mechanisms associated with these actions and relating the with the different bioactive compounds present. A brief, detailed approach to SARS-CoV-2 mechanism of action is first overviewed to allow readers a deep understanding. Additionally, the compounds and beneficial properties of honey, and its previously application in other similar diseases, are detailed in depth. Despite the already reported efficacy of honey against different viruses and their complications, further studies are urgently needed to explain the molecular mechanisms of activity against COVID-19 and, most importantly, clinical trials enrolling COVID-19 patients.
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11
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Kita T, Kitamura K. Adrenomedullin Therapy in Moderate to Severe COVID-19. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030533. [PMID: 35327335 PMCID: PMC8945653 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still in progress, and a significant number of patients have presented with severe illness. Recently introduced vaccines, antiviral medicines, and antibody formulations can suppress COVID-19 symptoms and decrease the number of patients exhibiting severe disease. However, complete avoidance of severe COVID-19 has not been achieved, and more importantly, there are insufficient methods to treat it. Adrenomedullin (AM) is an endogenous peptide that maintains vascular tone and endothelial barrier function. The AM plasma level is markedly increased during severe inflammatory disorders, such as sepsis, pneumonia, and COVID-19, and is associated with the severity of inflammation and its prognosis. In this study, exogenous AM administration reduced inflammation and related organ damage in rodent models. The results of this study strongly suggest that AM could be an alternative therapy in severe inflammation disorders, including COVID-19. We have previously developed an AM formulation to treat inflammatory bowel disease and are currently conducting an investigator-initiated phase 2a trial for moderate to severe COVID-19 using the same formulation. This review presents the basal AM information and the most recent translational AM/COVID-19 study.
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12
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Liver Injury in Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: Possible Role of Therapy. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020192. [PMID: 35214651 PMCID: PMC8880796 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with COVID-19 show a high prevalence of liver injury. The pattern of this liver damage is still not fully understood. Different etiopathogenetic factors may concur; from a direct cytopathic effect, once the virus binds to the ACE-2 receptors, to the immune-mediated collateral damage, due to cytokine storm. The presence of pre-existing chronic liver disease is a contributing factor for acute organ damage during SARS-CoV2 infection. Last but not least, treatments probably play a role, also, in determining hepatotoxicity: many of the drugs we have used or are still using to treat COVID-19, combined with non-invasive ventilation, are known to sometimes determine acute liver injury. Although liver damage associated with COVID-19 is often transient and can resolve without any special treatment, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms, particularly to better treat its more severe forms.
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Leung EH, Fan J, Flynn HW, Albini TA. Ocular and Systemic Complications of COVID-19: Impact on Patients and Healthcare. Clin Ophthalmol 2022; 16:1-13. [PMID: 35018092 PMCID: PMC8742614 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s336963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing information available about the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the systemic and ocular health of patients, as well as the effects of delayed health care. This mini-review summarizes the potential complications and treatments of COVID-19. Systemic findings include respiratory illness, risk of thromboembolic events, and neurologic findings. Some patients may develop persistent symptoms even after the infection resolves. Effective treatment options include glucocorticoids, antivirals, interleukin-6 antagonists, monoclonal antibodies, Janus kinase inhibitors and vaccines. Potential ocular findings of COVID-19 include conjunctivitis, cranial nerve palsies, and microvascular changes in the retina; most symptoms resolved over time. During the lockdown periods, teleophthalmology was utilized to triage non-urgent issues; patients who did present to emergency departments tended to have more severe disease with worse visual prognoses. While transient delays in outpatient ophthalmic care may be tolerated in some patients, others experienced significant vision loss with interruptions in treatments. Resumption of ophthalmic care as soon as possible may help mitigate the effects of delayed care due to the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason Fan
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute/University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Harry W Flynn
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute/University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Thomas A Albini
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute/University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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