COVID-19 and cancer: start the resolution!

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Science
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Severe COVID-19 is characterized by a dangerous "cytokine storm," leading to organ failure and death.
• Hyperinflammation, common in COVID-19 and cancer, elevates risks for patients with underlying conditions.
• Current treatments focus on blocking inflammation, not actively resolving it.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the emerging understanding of inflammation resolution as an active biochemical process.
• To introduce specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) as key drivers of this resolution.
• To propose targeting SPMs as a novel therapeutic strategy for COVID-19 and cancer.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on inflammation resolution and its mediators.
• Analysis of the role of SPMs in counteracting pro-inflammatory responses.
• Exploration of SPM-based therapeutic potential in hyperinflammatory conditions.

Main Results:

• SPMs actively promote the "resolution of inflammation" by stimulating debris clearance and reducing cytokine production.
• SPMs are potent immunoresolvents that protect organs, clear infections, and reduce thrombus.
• Existing therapies do not stimulate inflammation resolution, creating a therapeutic gap.

Conclusions:

• Targeting endogenous SPMs offers a novel, non-immunosuppressive approach to manage severe COVID-19 and cancer.
• Enhancing the body's natural pro-resolving mediators can control hyperinflammation and restore tissue homeostasis.
• SPM-based therapies hold promise for treating conditions driven by excessive inflammation.