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Review
. 2020 Dec:101:29-32.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.1466. Epub 2020 Sep 30.

COX2 inhibition in the treatment of COVID-19: Review of literature to propose repositioning of celecoxib for randomized controlled studies

Semih Baghaki  1 , Can Ege Yalcin  2 , Hayriye Sema Baghaki  3 , Servet Yekta Aydin  2 , Basak Daghan  2 , Ersin Yavuz  2
Affiliations
Review

COX2 inhibition in the treatment of COVID-19: Review of literature to propose repositioning of celecoxib for randomized controlled studies

Semih Baghaki et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Coronavirus-triggered pulmonary and systemic disease, i.e. systemic inflammatory response to virally triggered lung injury, named COVID-19, and ongoing discussions on refining immunomodulation in COVID-19 without COX2 inhibition prompted us to search the related literature to show a potential target (COX2) and a weapon (celecoxib). The concept of selectively targeting COX2 and closely related cascades might be worth trying in the treatment of COVID-19 given the substantial amount of data showing that COX2, p38 MAPK, IL-1b, IL-6 and TGF-β play pivotal roles in coronavirus-related cell death, cytokine storm and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. Considering the lack of definitive treatment and importance of immunomodulation in COVID-19, COX2 inhibition might be a valuable adjunct to still-evolving treatment strategies. Celecoxib has properties that should be evaluated in randomized controlled studies and is also available for off-label use.

Keywords: COVID-19; COX2; Celecoxib; Coronavirus; Immunomodulation.

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