An anti-CD6 antibody for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with cytokine-release syndrome: report of three cases.
Lázaro Manuel FilgueiraJulio Betancourt CervantesOrlando Adolfo LovelleCarlos HerreraCarlos FigueredoJorge Alain CaballeroNaivy SánchezJorge BerrioGeidy LorenzoMeylan CepedaMayra Ramos SuzarteDanay Saavedra HernándezAna Laura Añé-KouríZaima Mazorra-HerreraKalet LeonTania CrombetArmando CaballeroPublished in: Immunotherapy (2021)
In COVID-19, the inflammatory cytokine-release syndrome is associated with the progression of the disease. Itolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that recognizes human CD6 expressed in activated T cells. The antibody has shown to be safe and efficacious in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Its effect is associated with the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines release, including IFN-γ, IL-6 and TNF-α. Here, we report the outcome of three severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients treated with itolizumab as part of an expanded access protocol. Itolizumab was able to reduce IL-6 concentrations in all the patients. Two of the three patients showed respiratory and radiological improvement and were fully recovered. We hypothesize this anti-inflammatory therapy in addition to antiviral and anticoagulant therapy could reduce COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality.
Keyphrases
- sars cov
- end stage renal disease
- coronavirus disease
- ejection fraction
- newly diagnosed
- chronic kidney disease
- anti inflammatory
- monoclonal antibody
- prognostic factors
- peritoneal dialysis
- endothelial cells
- randomized controlled trial
- rheumatoid arthritis
- stem cells
- venous thromboembolism
- early onset
- dendritic cells
- drug induced
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- smoking cessation