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Review
. 2020 Jul:84:106560.
doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106560. Epub 2020 May 8.

Towards treatment planning of COVID-19: Rationale and hypothesis for the use of multiple immunosuppressive agents: Anti-antibodies, immunoglobulins, and corticosteroids

Amene Saghazadeh  1 , Nima Rezaei  2
Affiliations
Review

Towards treatment planning of COVID-19: Rationale and hypothesis for the use of multiple immunosuppressive agents: Anti-antibodies, immunoglobulins, and corticosteroids

Amene Saghazadeh et al. Int Immunopharmacol. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV2, can cause a potentially fatal disease, COVID-19, in humans. Here, we will provide an overview of therapeutic options for COVID-19. Plasma from patients recovered from COVID-19 that contains antibodies against SARS-CoV2 has shown promising results in patients with severe COVID-19. Also, IVIG, combined with moderate-dose of corticosteroids, might improve patient outcomes. Evidence links COVID-19 to variable degrees of inflammation. Studies show that the use of corticosteroids might accelerate recovery from COVID-19. There are, however, no controlled clinical trials that show whether the use of corticosteroids can reduce COVID-19-related death. Also, the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL6 is the best-documented cytokine in COVID-19 correlated with severity, criticality, viral load, and prognosis of patients with COVID-19. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody against IL6, could confer clinical benefit in patients with high IL6 levels. Essential elements that process SARS-CoV2 cell entry and specific characteristics that allow SARS-CoV2 to escape the immune system have the potential as targets for COVID-19 therapy.

Keywords: COVID-19; Corticosteroids; Immunoglobulin; Interleukin 6; Targeted therapy; Treatment.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Proteins required for the SARS-CoV2-cell entry.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Immunotherapy for SARS-CoV-2: potential opportunities.
    Pashaei M, Rezaei N. Pashaei M, et al. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2020 Oct;20(10):1111-1116. doi: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1807933. Epub 2020 Aug 12. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2020. PMID: 32762581 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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