While the search for a vaccine for COVID-19 continues, it must be remembered that vaccines will only protect the public prior to infection. Treatments are still needed for patients who already have the disease.
Leronlimab is an investigational drug currently under clinical trials for the treatment of AIDS and cancer. Leronlimab has successfully completed nine clinical trials with over 800 participants and has demonstrated a strong safety profile. Due to the study drug’s biological capabilities, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted leronlimab to be used under an Emergency Investigational New Drug (EIND) for the treatment of COVID-19 in ten patients.
COVID-19 causes a severe respiratory illness that may trigger an aggressive immune response known as a “cytokine storm.” These cytokines are sending signals for white blood cells to come and fight the viral infection. In a “cytokine storm,” these molecules are so elevated that they cause damage to the lungs through inflammation that may require intubation and may lead to pneumonia and potentially death.
Ten severely ill COVID-19 patients have recently been treated with leronlimab at a medical center in New York City. Two of those patients have been able to come off ventilators and come out of the intensive care unit, while two other patients have shown significant improvements. These patients have only recently been treated and the results of the other treated patients may be available later this week.
Leronlimab is a promising drug for the treatment of COVID-19 patients suffering from respiratory complications. The FDA has granted an investigational new drug application (IND) for a Phase II clinical trial to begin with up to 75 participants in 10 different treatment centers in the U.S.
By: Randy Astaiza
Sources
- https://apnews.com/Globe%20Newswire/5f340ac37ee044e098fd1a843cb46b08
- https://nypost.com/2020/03/28/coronavirus-patients-taken-off-ventilators-after-getting-experimental-hiv-drug/
- https://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/916025/cytodyn-s-therapy-used-to-treat-new-york-coronavirus-patients-shows–immunological-benefits–916025.html
- https://seekingalpha.com/pr/17813322-u-s-food-and-drug-administration-fda-grants-emergency-ind-for-two-coronavirus-patients
- https://theconversation.com/in-the-fight-against-coronavirus-antivirals-are-as-important-as-a-vaccine-heres-where-the-science-is-up-to-133926