COVID-19: Pathogenesis, cytokine storm and therapeutic potential of interferons

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2020 Jun:53:66-70. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2020.05.002. Epub 2020 May 7.

Abstract

The outbreak of the novel SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has developed into an unprecedented global pandemic. Clinical investigations in patients with COVID-19 has shown a strong upregulation of cytokine and interferon production in SARS-CoV2- induced pneumonia, with an associated cytokine storm syndrome. Thus, the identification of existing approved therapies with proven safety profiles to treat hyperinflammation is a critical unmet need in order to reduce COVI-19 associated mortality. To date, no specific therapeutic drugs or vaccines are available to treat COVID-19 patients. This review evaluates several options that have been proposed to control SARS-CoV2 hyperinflammation and cytokine storm, eincluding antiviral drugs, vaccines, small-molecules, monoclonal antibodies, oligonucleotides, peptides, and interferons (IFNs).

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; Interferons; Recombinant; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Monophosphate / analogs & derivatives*
  • Adenosine Monophosphate / therapeutic use
  • Alanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Alanine / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Betacoronavirus / drug effects*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Coronavirus Infections / pathology*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / pathology
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Interferons / therapeutic use*
  • Oligonucleotides / therapeutic use
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / pathology*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Viral Vaccines / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Viral Vaccines
  • remdesivir
  • Adenosine Monophosphate
  • Interferons
  • Alanine