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Therapeutic Options Against the New Coronavirus: Updated Clinical and Laboratory Evidences
Amélia Carolina Lopes Fernandes1, Adson José Martins Vale2,3, Fausto Pierdoná Guzen3
1Nurse Department, Nurse School, Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), Mossoró, Brazil.
Abstract:
The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) has encouraged numerous in vitro studies and clinical trials around the world, with research groups testing existing drugs, novel drug candidates and vaccines that can prevent or treat infection caused by this virus. The urgency for an effective therapy is justified by the easy and fast viral transmission and the high number of patients with severe respiratory distress syndrome who have increasingly occupied intensive care hospital beds, leading to a collapse in health systems in several countries. However, to date, there is no sufficient evidence of the effectiveness of any researched therapy. The off-label or compassionate use of some drugs by health professionals is a reality in all continents, whose permission by regulatory agencies has been based on the results of some clinical trials. In order to guide decision-making for the treatment of COVID-19, this review aims to present studies and guidelines on the main therapies that have been and are currently being tested against SARS-CoV-2 and to critically analyze the reported evidences.
Insights
Current COVID-19 therapies lack sufficient evidence. This review analyzes studies and guidelines on treatments for SARS-CoV-2 infection to guide clinical decisions for effective pandemic management.
Area of Science:
- Virology and Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, necessitates urgent therapeutic interventions due to rapid transmission and severe respiratory distress.
- Global health systems face collapse from overwhelming intensive care unit admissions.
- Existing treatments for SARS-CoV-2 lack definitive evidence of efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and critically analyze studies on therapies tested against SARS-CoV-2.
- To present guidelines for decision-making in COVID-19 treatment.
- To evaluate the evidence supporting current and investigational treatments for COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of in vitro studies and clinical trials.
- Analysis of data from ongoing and completed research on drug candidates and vaccines.
- Critical appraisal of evidence supporting off-label and compassionate use of therapies.
Main Results:
- No single therapy has demonstrated sufficient efficacy for widespread COVID-19 treatment to date.
- Regulatory agencies have permitted some drug uses based on preliminary clinical trial results.
- Varied evidence exists for different therapeutic approaches, requiring careful interpretation.
Conclusions:
- Further rigorous clinical trials are essential to establish effective COVID-19 therapies.
- Evidence-based guidelines are crucial for optimizing patient care and resource allocation.
- Critical analysis of research is needed to combat misinformation and guide clinical practice.
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