scholarly journals Medicines for the Treatment Of COVID-19: Awaiting the Evidence

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 500
Author(s):  
Natalia Marto ◽  
Emília C. Monteiro
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Promising Candidate ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Investigational Drugs ◽  
The World ◽  
Repurposed Drugs

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the cause of Coronavirus Disease 2019, a new illness with no effective treatment or vaccine that has reached pandemic proportions. In this document, we analyze how health authorities and agencies around the world position themselves regarding the off-label use of repurposed drugs or new investigational drugs to treat Coronavirus Disease 2019. We review the most promising candidate medicines, including available evidence, clinical recommendations and current options for access. Our concluding remarks stress the importance of administering off-label and investigational drugs in the setting of clinical trials, or at least in standardized scenarios, to generate as much scientific knowledge as achievable while engaging in the best efforts to treat patients and save lives.

scholarly journals The Rise and Fall of Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine in COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 089719002199739
Author(s):  
Rana Aljadeed
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
World Health ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Off Label ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Label Use

On March 11th, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the unprecedented outbreak of “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2” (SARS-CoV-2) to be a pandemic. Thus far, COVID-19 has infected over 58,229,138 individuals and caused 1,382,106 deaths worldwide. This has led to the re-purposing of available drugs under “off-label” use—drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine. Both drugs have since been evaluated for their ability to treat COVID-19. Here, we summarize recent evidence regarding the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. All data is current as of November 23, 2020.

scholarly journals Chemical and Mechanical Actions of Drugs Active Group Used in COVID-19 Treatment

2021 ◽  
pp. 229-237
Author(s):  
Suhayla K. Mohammed ◽  
Mzahim M. Taha ◽  
Ekhlass M. Taha
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Alpha Interferon ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Viral Membrane ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

With the new global outbreak of the novel COVID-19, control and treatment has become critical. There is no medication proven to be effective for the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome which is caused by COVID-19 according to the World Health Organization (WHO) reports. Most studies that have been done on this time are clinical trials. Those studies used several drugs like lopinavir, ritonavir, nebulized alpha-interferon and, aminoquinolines. The mechanism of action is not well known so far. This review studies the metabolites of the tested drugs with different kinds of the viral membrane which merging proteins based on mechanical criteria.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 Vaccines: Recent Development, Challenges and Prospects

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 349
Author(s):  
Yuxin Yan ◽  
Yoongxin Pang ◽  
Zhuoyi Lyu ◽  
Ruiqi Wang ◽  
Xinyun Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
World Population ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The World ◽  
Hygienic Measures ◽  
Repurposed Drugs

The highly infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated with the pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread to become a global pandemic. At present, the world is relying mainly on containment and hygiene-related measures, as well as repurposed drugs to control the outbreak. The development of COVID-19 vaccines is crucial for the world to return to pre-pandemic normalcy, and a collective global effort has been invested into protection against SARS-CoV-2. As of March 2021, thirteen vaccines have been approved for application whilst over 90 vaccine candidates are under clinical trials. This review focuses on the development of COVID-19 vaccines and highlights the efficacy and vaccination reactions of the authorised vaccines. The mechanisms, storage, and dosage specification of vaccine candidates at the advanced stage of development are also critically reviewed together with considerations for potential challenges. Whilst the development of a vaccine is, in general, in its infancy, current progress is promising. However, the world population will have to continue to adapt to the “new normal” and practice social distancing and hygienic measures, at least until effective vaccines are available to the general public.

The novel use of convalescent plasma in patients with COVID 19 in Basra governorate, Case series review

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saad Hammadi ◽  
Ali Hashim ◽  
Abbas Ali ◽  
Rafid Abbood ◽  
Hassanein Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Exchange ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Passive Immunity ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Plasma Therapy ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Plasma Donation ◽  
Patient Series

Background: The idea of convalescent plasma usage is to give passive immunity to the patients, so their immune system stands a good chance of combating the virus.this study will review 6 cases of eligible covid 19 patients that had been treated with convalescent plasma therapy in Basra covid 19 quarantine Objectives: to demonstrate efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma in the patient series that had been enrolled . Method: this study had pioneered a new method to collect up to 3,000 mL in one session by an off-label use of Spectra Optia Apheresis systems by TerumoBCT /Exchange set to collect convalescent plasma. In this study 250 mL convalescent plasma had been given each of the 6 patients, from one donor. respose in spo2,dyspnoea and tachypnoea was observed ,any reaction to plasma also had been monitored . Result: Our case series have demonstrated both safety and effectiveness of convalescent plasma. This study was successful in reaching our primary and secondary outcomes in all 6 patients (improvement in SpO2 and symptoms). With negligible difference in time of post transfusion response Conclusion: convalescent plasma is apperantly safe and effective, In this study 250 mL convalescent plasma had been given each of the 6 patients, from one donor using Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) protocol by Spectra Optia Apheresis system/TerumoBCT. Keywords: convalescent plasma, COVID-19, SARS CoV-2, apheresis, plasma exchange, plasma donation

scholarly journals Rivaroxaban versus warfarin for the management of left ventricle thrombus

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monirah A. Albabtain ◽  
Yahya Alhebaishi ◽  
Ola Al-Yafi ◽  
Hatim Kheirallah ◽  
Adel Othman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Left Ventricle ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Warfarin Group

Abstract Background Rivaroxaban has been recently introduced for the management of non-valvular intra-cardiac thrombosis with variable results. We aimed to compare the results of the off-label use of rivaroxaban versus warfarin in the management of patients with left ventricle (LV) thrombus. This research is a retrospective study conducted on 63 patients who had LV thrombus from January to December 2016. We compared patients treated with warfarin (n=35) to patients who had rivaroxaban (n=28), and study outcomes were time to thrombus resolution, bleeding, stroke, and mortality. Results The median duration of treatment was 9.5 (25th-75th percentiles: 6-32.5) months for rivaroxaban and 14 (3-41) months for warfarin. Thrombus resolution occurred in 24 patients in the warfarin group (68.6%) and 20 patients in the rivaroxaban group (71.4%). The median time to resolution in the warfarin group was 9 (4-20) months and 3 (2-11.5) months in the rivaroxaban group. Thrombus resolution was significantly faster in patients on rivaroxaban (p= 0.019). Predictors of thrombus resolution were thrombus surface area (HR: 1.21; CI 95% (1.0-1.46); p= .048) and the use of rivaroxaban (HR: 1.92; CI 95% (1.01-3.65); p= 0.048). There was no difference in stroke, bleeding, and mortality between both groups. Conclusion Rivaroxaban was as effective and safe as warfarin in managing patients with left ventricle thrombus. Larger randomized clinical trials are recommended to confirm our findings.

COVID-19: Are Experimental Drugs Cure or Ill?

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bensu Karahalil ◽  
Aylin Elkama
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Death Rates ◽  
Experimental Drugs ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
The World

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus. It is characterized by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has quickly influenced all over the world since it spreads easily. Common symptoms are fever, cough, difficulty in breathing and muscle aches. Despite the urgent need to find an effective antiviral treatment, already available agents are being used alone or in combination all over the world. At the beginning of the pandemic, death rates of infection caused by COVID-19 are high but "is COVID-19 responsible for all deaths?", or “are there any contributions of the frequently used drugs in this period to these deaths?” Surely herd immunity plays a major role and has the contribution in the decline in mortality rates. Meanwhile, it is kept in mind that due to safety concerns, changes have also been made to the dosage and combined use of frequently used drugs. Objective: In this review, answers to two questions above and the safety of treatments, toxicities of agents involving chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, favipiravir, lopiravir/ritonavir, sarilumab, tocilizumab, siltuximab, corticosteroids and bromhexine which are the most frequently used in both Turkey and all over the world will be summarized. Conclusion: Among these drugs favipiravir seems the most promising drug due to more tolerable adverse effects. More clinical trials with large sample sizes are needed to find the most effective and safe drug for COVID-19 treatment.

scholarly journals Emerging pandemic COVID-19: myths and facts

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 283
Author(s):  
Rohit Vadala ◽  
Isabella Princess
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Nucleocapsid Proteins ◽  
The World ◽  
The Common ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Relationship Of

<p>The first theory which has established itself across the world is that COVID-19 is a “new virus”. It is rather wise to call it a “new strain” of a pre-existing coronavirus since history clearly denotes cases of coronavirus surfacing the world in past years beginning as early as mid-1960s.Including this novel strain of the virus, seven strains of coronaviruses have been commonly associated with human infections. Coronaviruses are primarily respiratory viruses causing infections ranging from mild to severe involvement of the respiratory tract. The common cold strains of coronavirus are 229E alpha coronavirus, NL63 alpha coronavirus, OC43 beta coronavirus and HKU1 beta coronavirus.The acute respiratory distress causing strains are severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) beta CoV causing SARS, MERS beta CoV causing Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and the very novel COVID-19. Researchers and molecular biologists have confirmed phylogenetic relationship of COVID-19 with a 2015 Chinese bat strain of SARS CoV.<sup> </sup>Mutations to the surface protein as well as nucleocapsid proteins were demonstrated. These two mutations predicts the characteristics such as higher ability to infect as well as enhanced pathogenicity of COVID-19 as compared to older SARS strain. For this reason and with similarities in clinical presentation the novel strain has been named as SARS-CoV-2.</p>

scholarly journals Does the novel coronavirus 2019 like heart more than the other family members of coronaviruses?

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-157
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mostafa Ansari Ramandi ◽  
Mohammadreza Baay ◽  
Nasim Naderi
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The World ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Coronavirus Infections

The disaster due to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) around the world has made investigators enthusiastic about working on different aspects of COVID-19. However, although the pandemic of COVID-19 has not yet ended, it seems that COVID-19 compared to the other coronavirus infections (the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [MERS] and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome [SARS]) is more likely to target the heart. Comparing the previous presentations of the coronavirus family and the recent cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19 can also help in predicting possible future challenges and taking measures to tackle these issues.

Tri-primer-enhanced strand exchange amplification combined with rapid lateral flow fluorescent immunoassay to detect SARS-CoV-2

The Analyst ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linlin Zhuang ◽  
Jiansen Gong ◽  
Ming Ma ◽  
Yongxin Ji ◽  
Peilong Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Lateral Flow ◽  
Strand Exchange ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been surging rapidly around the world, which exposes humanity to unprecedented economic, social and...

Safety and Evidence of Off-Label Use of Approved Drugs at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Japan

2020 ◽  
pp. OP.20.00131
Author(s):  
Seiko Bun ◽  
Kan Yonemori ◽  
Hiroko Sunadoi ◽  
Rena Nishigaki ◽  
Emi Noguchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
National Cancer Center Hospital ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Pharmaceutical Development ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Center Hospital ◽  
Label Use

PURPOSE: In Japan, for pharmaceutical products to be covered by public medical insurance, their efficacy and safety must first be confirmed in clinical trials. To our knowledge, this study is the first investigation into the off-label use of pharmaceutical products at a high-volume cancer treatment center in Japan. The objective of this study is to explore the framework necessary for future pharmaceutical development and regulatory approval in the field of oncology by surveying the frequency of and indications for off-label use of pharmaceutical products at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Tokyo, Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pharmaceutical products used off-label in daily practice from 2003 to 2015 at the National Cancer Center Hospital were retrospectively examined based on applications that had been submitted to an internal review committee requesting off-label use. RESULTS: A total of 1,390 applications were submitted during the study period. The most frequently used supporting documents were the results of phase II trials, followed by case series and phase III trials. The cancer most frequently treated with off-label drugs was sarcoma (15.1%), followed by urologic cancer (9.2%) and GI cancer (7.6%). CONCLUSION: As reported in previous studies, pharmaceutical products were generally used off-label for the treatment of rare cancers, for which large-scale clinical trials are difficult to conduct. Continued discussion of the types of frameworks that are needed to guide pharmaceutical development is necessary.

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