Immune checkpoint inhibitors: a physiology-driven approach to the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Cosimo, Serena; Malfettone, Andrea; Pérez-García, José M.; Llombart-Cussac, Antonio; Miceli, Rosalba; Curigliano, Giuseppe; Cortés, Javier
• Is Part Of: European journal of cancer. Volume 135(2020)
• Page Start: 62
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Cytokine storm -- Anti–PD-1 -- Anti–IL-6R -- Pembrolizumab -- Tocilizumab; Cancer -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Périodiques; Cancer; Tumors; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.05.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-8049

Abstract

Abstract: While confirmed cases of the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have exceeded 4.7 million globally, scientists are pushing forward with efforts to develop vaccines and treatments in an attempt to slow the pandemic and lessen the disease's damage. Although no proven effective therapies for treating patients with COVID-19 or for managing their complications currently exist, the rapidly expanding knowledge regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and its interplay with hosts provides a significant number of potential drug targets and the potential to repurpose drugs already tested in other diseases. Herein, we report the biological rationale of immune-activating drugs and a brief summary of literature data on the potential therapeutic value of immune checkpoint inhibitors that have been recently tested beyond cancer treatment for their potential to restore cellular immunocompetence. Highlights: Patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present with lymphocytopenia and T-cell exhaustion. Persistent stimulation by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 leads to the inhibition of the immune system. Immune blockade in patients with cancer supports host protective immunity. Immune checkpoint inhibitors safely restore immunocompetence in sepsis and viral infections. Immunostimulants should be considered as the first-line option in severe COVID-19.