Type 1 interferons as a potential treatment against COVID-19

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Erwan Sallard1, François-Xavier Lescure2, Yazdan Yazdanpanah2

  • 1École Normale Supérieure de Paris, 45 Rue D'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France.

Antiviral Research
|April 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Type 1 interferons show antiviral promise against coronaviruses. Preliminary data suggests these interferons may be effective for treating COVID-19 and warrant clinical evaluation.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Type 1 interferons exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral properties in laboratory settings.
  • These interferons are under investigation for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review preliminary data on the efficacy of type 1 interferons against SARS-CoV-2.
  • To assess the relevance of clinical trials for type 1 interferons in treating COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preliminary scientific data.
  • Analysis of existing clinical trial information for MERS-CoV.

Main Results:

  • Preliminary data suggests potential antiviral activity of type 1 interferons against SARS-CoV-2.
  • The evaluation of type 1 interferons in clinical trials for COVID-19 is deemed relevant.

Conclusions:

  • Type 1 interferons demonstrate potential as a therapeutic strategy for COVID-19.
  • Further clinical investigation of type 1 interferons for SARS-CoV-2 is warranted.
Keywords:
COVID-19InterferonSARS-CoV-2

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