Results
What has been determined so far: 52 of the patients were treated regularly and additionally with placebo. Almost half of them died within 60 days. The other 98 patients received nine milligrams of the drug in addition to their regular treatment for up to 21 days. About 20 percent of them died.
Among the study participants were infected with the omicron and delta variants. Sabizabulin, given orally in a capsule or through a feeding tube, worked equally well on both variants, and no side effects were found. The agent, which stops the transport of viral particles into cells, has antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.
More data from the study must now be evaluated, after which manufacturer Veru wants to apply for emergency approval in the US.
combination therapy
In general, more and more drugs are available for the treatment of Covid-19. Researchers from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have further examined the mechanisms of action of antiviral and anti-inflammatory substances. In a specialist paper, they now describe that a combination of both groups of substances works best and extends the time window for using antibody therapy.
Although the antibodies alone efficiently reduced the amount of virus in the cells examined, this did not help the model much. Because it’s not the viruses that damage the lung tissue, but the strong inflammatory reaction they trigger. Immune cells that fight off invaders release messengers to call for reinforcements.
The incoming masses of defensive fighters can literally clog your lungs. “Closed blood vessels and unstable vessel walls can lead to acute lung failure,” explains Emmanuel Wyler, the study’s first author.
The researchers achieved the best treatment results when they combined antiviral and anti-inflammatory therapy. “So far, medical guidelines do not provide for such a combination therapy,” emphasizes co-author Geraldine Nouailles.
“Furthermore, antibody therapy can only be given up to a maximum of seven days after the onset of symptoms in high-risk patients. In practice, the anti-inflammatory dexamethasone is only administered when the patient becomes dependent on oxygen, that is, when his disease is already well advanced. The combination, on the other hand, opens up completely new treatment windows.”