Convalescent Plasma to Treat COVID-19: A Two-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Background: The use of convalescent plasma (CP) has been considered for its immunological mechanisms that could benefit patients in moderate and severe stages of COVID-19. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of the use of donor CP for COVID-19. Material and methods: A double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted from May to October 2020. Thirty-nine participants with moderate (II) and severe (III) stages of COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR were included. The study randomization rate was set at 3:1. CPs were chosen for application with a neutralizing antibody titer of ≥1:32. Results: We observed a significantly lower 21-day post-transfusion mortality HR: 0.17 (95.0% CI [0.07−0.45, p < 0.001]) in the group receiving CP compared with the control group; protective units (PU) in the group receiving convalescent plasma after seven days were significantly higher (512 (32−16,384) vs. 96 (32−256), p = 0.01); the PAO2/FIO2 index showed a significant improvement in the group receiving CP (251.01 (109.4) vs. 109.2 (62.4), p < 0.001, in the control group). Conclusion: CP is safe and effective, as it decreased mortality in the CP group compared with the control group.

Apoptotic Effects of N-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-Propylpentanamide on U87-MG and U-2 OS Cells and Antiangiogenic Properties

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) are important therapeutic targets for many types of human cancers. A derivative of valproic acid, N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propylpentanamide (HOAAVPA), has antiproliferative properties on some cancer cell lines and inhibits the HDAC1 isoform.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this work, HO-AAVPA was tested as an antiproliferative agent in U87-MG (human glioblastoma) and U-2 OS cells (human osteosarcoma), which are types of cancer that are difficult to treat, and its antiangiogenic properties were explored.

RESULTS

HO-AAVPA had antiproliferative effects at 48h with an IC₅₀=0.655mM in U87-MG cells and an IC₅₀=0.453mM in U-2 OS cells. Additionally, in the colony formation assay, HO-AAVPA decreased the number of colonies by approximately 99% in both cell lines and induced apoptosis by 31.3% in the U-2 OS cell line and by 78.2% in the U87-MG cell line. Additionally, HO-AAVPA reduced the number of vessels in Chorioallantoic Membranes (CAMs) by approximately 67.74% and IL-6 levels in both cell lines suggesting that the biochemical mechanism on cancer cell of HO-AAVPA is different compared to VPA.

CONCLUSION

HO-AAVPA has antiproliferative effects on glioblastoma and osteosarcoma and antiangiogenic properties.