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Editorial
. 2021 Jul 16;9(20):5352-5357.
doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i20.5352.

COVID-19: Considerations about immune suppression and biologicals at the time of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Giulia Costanzo  1 , William Cordeddu  1 , Luchino Chessa  1 , Stefano Del Giacco  1 , Davide Firinu  2
Affiliations
Editorial

COVID-19: Considerations about immune suppression and biologicals at the time of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Giulia Costanzo et al. World J Clin Cases. .

Abstract

The extent of the profound immunological and nonimmunological responses linked to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is currently being investigated worldwide due to the large burden associated with death due to SARS-CoV-2 and the short-term consequences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It has been hypothesized that patients on immunosuppressive treatments, including biologics, may have an augmented risk of being infected by SARS-CoV-2; however, there are currently no definitive data about biological drugs and COVID-19 in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Current epidemiological models developed to understand how long the COVID-19 epidemic may last are not conclusive and range from sustained epidemics to complete elimination. Nevertheless, even in the best-case scenario of apparent elimination, there is concordance about a possible contagion resurgence as late as 2024. Therefore, knowledge of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on immune-mediated diseases and among patients treated with biologicals, together with the results of novel and promising COVID-19 treatment strategies targeting the virus and the host immune response (or both), will help us to best manage our patients during this pandemic over the next few years.

Keywords: Biological drugs; COVID-19; Cytokine storm; Immune-mediated diseases; Immunosuppressive drugs; Targeted therapies.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest to declare.

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