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Immune checkpoint alterations and their blockade in COVID-19 patients

Jiaxiong Tan1, Yangqiu Li2

  • 1Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.

Blood Science (Baltimore, Md.)
|October 31, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Immune checkpoint proteins (ICs) are altered in COVID-19, impacting immune function. Understanding these changes may guide new cancer and COVID-19 treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Immune dysfunction, marked by abnormal immune checkpoint protein (IC) expression, is linked to cancer progression and chronic infections.
  • Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy is effective for various cancers, modulating immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current research on alterations in immune checkpoints during COVID-19.
  • To elucidate the role of ICs in different COVID-19 patient populations and disease stages.
  • To explore the potential impact of IC blockade on COVID-19 treatment, especially for cancer patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating immune checkpoint alterations in COVID-19 patients.
  • Analysis of data on IC expression in various immune cells and disease contexts.
  • Synthesis of findings related to IC blockade efficacy in cancer and potential application to COVID-19.

Main Results:

  • COVID-19 is associated with significant alterations in immune checkpoint protein expression on immune cells.
  • The specific patterns of IC alterations may vary across different patient demographics and COVID-19 severity.
  • The impact and feasibility of IC blockade strategies in the context of COVID-19, particularly in cancer patients, require further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Altered immune checkpoints represent a key feature of COVID-19-associated immune dysfunction.
  • Further research into IC dynamics in COVID-19 is crucial for developing targeted immunotherapies.
  • Targeting immune checkpoints holds promise for improving outcomes in COVID-19 patients, especially those with concurrent malignancies.

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