From arthritis and covid
Rheumatoid arthritis drug reduced COVID-19 mortality by 71%
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
Clinical studies by an international group of scientists have shown that baricitinib reduces mortality by 71% compared to standard treatment. Previously, the potential of the drug against COVID-19 was determined by artificial intelligence. Now scientists are showing the first promising results.
Article by Falcone et al. JAK inhibition reduces SARS-CoV-2 liver infectivity and modulates inflammatory responses to reduce morbidity and mortality published in the journal Science Advances – VM.
Experimental treatment was carried out among patients with moderate and severe COVID-19, and most importantly, a large cohort of elderly people was included in the study. It was also found that baricitinib acts on patients in a double way.
Baricitinib was approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis just a few years ago. In the new work, the drug showed antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect.
The study involved 83 patients in the baricitinib group and the same number in the control cohort. The average age of patients hospitalized in hospitals in Italy and Spain was 81 years. The severity of COVID-19 in them was assessed from moderate to severe.
"We are pleased to report a 71% reduction in mortality in the group where baricitinib was added to standard treatment. And it is especially important that the study included a large cohort of elderly patients," said study co–author Volker Lauschke from Karolinska Institute. Elderly people remain the most vulnerable group of patients and therapy for severe forms of the disease is very limited for them.
The drug is generally well tolerated and reduced inflammation in the body from the first days of treatment, the scientists reported.
Among the most adverse side effects, scientists have recorded bacterial infections, as well as complications on the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. On the other hand, the same complications were observed in the control group, so scientists cannot yet accurately link them with the use of baricitinib.
Further experiments on models of mini-organs from human cells showed that baricitinib acts from two sides.
"The drug has an anti–cytokine and antiviral effect," the scientists said.
That is, it blocks an excessive immune response to the virus, as well as the activity of the virus itself in the body.
So far, baricitinib is being considered as a candidate for the treatment of COVID-19. Further clinical studies should confirm the results obtained on the efficacy and safety of the drug for treatment.
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