Immunotherapy . An anti-CD6 antibody for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with cytokine-release syndrome: report of three cases

[tetano]

Immunotherapy


. 2021 Jan 5.
doi: 10.2217/imt-2020-0235. Online ahead of print.
An anti-CD6 antibody for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with cytokine-release syndrome: report of three cases


L?zaro Manuel Filgueira[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Julio Betancourt Cervantes[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Orlando Adolfo Lovelle[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Carlos Herrera[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Carlos Figueredo[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Jorge Alain Caballero[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Naivy S?nchez[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Jorge Berrio[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Geidy Lorenzo[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Meylan Cepeda[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Mayra Ramos[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Danay Saavedra[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ana Laura A?e-Kouri[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Zaima Mazorra[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Kalet Leon[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Tania Crombet[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Armando Caballero[SUP] 2 [/SUP]



Affiliations

• PMID: 33397150
• DOI: 10.2217/imt-2020-0235

Abstract

In COVID-19, the inflammatory cytokine-release syndrome is associated with the progression of the disease. Itolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that recognizes human CD6 expressed in activated T cells. The antibody has shown to be safe and efficacious in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Its effect is associated with the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines release, including IFN-γ, IL-6 and TNF-α. Here, we report the outcome of three severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients treated with itolizumab as part of an expanded access protocol. Itolizumab was able to reduce IL-6 concentrations in all the patients. Two of the three patients showed respiratory and radiological improvement and were fully recovered. We hypothesize this anti-inflammatory therapy in addition to antiviral and anticoagulant therapy could reduce COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: CD6 molecule; COVID-19; IL-6; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus 2; cytokine-release syndrome; itolizumab; monoclonal antibody.

 

[kiwibird]

Thank you Tetano. From the above article

"In summary, in these severe and critically ill patients, itolizumab was able to reduce IL-6 concentrations. Notably, itolizumab-related adverse events were not reported. Patients with baseline IL-6 levels below 200 pg/ml, showed prompt clinical and radiological recovery. We anticipate that the timely use of this anti-inflammatory antibody in combination with the appropriate antiviral and anticoagulant therapy could reduce the mortality associated with COVID-19. The analysis of the complete-series will be published shortly."