COVID-19: treatment with a drug against diseases of the bone marrow
According to experts, it is unlikely that this year’s vaccine against the new Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 to be available. Therefore, it is hoped that it will quicker manage to find drugs to treat already Infected. Here is also set in already-approved funds. In a study now examines the effect of a compound against disorders of the bone marrow for the treatment of COVID-19.
In the Wake of the Corona-pandemic in the world is working on strategies to curb the spread of the Virus. Above all, it urgently needs medicines that can be used in particular in severe cases the use. Could actually help a drug against diseases of the bone marrow.
Treatment of patients with severe symptoms
As stated in a recent communication, the Coronavirus, and COVID-19 is currently at the University hospital of Ulm the subject of intensive research.
So, the experts and the Experts of the clinic for Internal medicine III, now in a clinical trial for the treatment of Corona-treated patients and patients who suffer from more severe symptoms.
The individuals receive the drug Ruxolitinib, which has been used for the treatment of myeloid diseases of the bone marrow.
According to the report, it is investigated whether the drug can stop the COVID-19 frequently occurring strong inflammatory response in the lung and other organs.
In the study, six other German hospitals have expected, a total of 200 COVID-19-patients and in-patients to be included.
In many Patients, there is a deterioration of lung function
Although the progression of the disease, fails, in the case of COVID-19 very different, and unspecified, will be treated according to the experts, about 15 percent of patients as an inpatient in a hospital and need oxygen therapy. Up to five percent of the patients must be cared for on an intensive care unit.
The reason for the many patients occurring deterioration of lung function, among other things, a strong inflammatory reaction in the lungs that is triggered by the novel Virus and severe respiratory distress can cause.
As the communication explains, inhibits the drug, the so-called Janus Ruxolitinib kinases, i.e. enzymes involved in inflammatory reactions of various diseases an important role.
Inflammatory reaction should be stopped
Now research is needed to determine whether the preparation can also be used for the treatment of COVID-19 used. Participate Covid-19-patients and in-patients, the inpatient can be at the University hospital Ulm or the other participating hospitals to be treated.
“The excessive inflammatory reaction, which takes place in the Corona disease primarily in the lungs but also in other organs, is the Background for the use of Ruxolitinib”, explains senior physician Professor Konstanze Döhner, who heads the study at the University hospital in Ulm.
“The drug can freely press the set messengers of the inflammatory response effectively. Our goal is to stop with early administration of Ruxolitinib, the inflammatory response to prevent, our patients, and patients with artificial ventilation on the intensive care unit.“
Because hard-to-Corona-Ill, in the first line under severe and life-threatening respiratory complications are suffering, the inhibition of this inflammatory response is an important part of the therapy of COVID-19.
Advantage: Researchers know the drug is already
The data suggest that Ruxolitinib for the treatment of myelofibrosis and the Polyzythämia vera – both of which are myeloid disorders of the bone marrow – is approved and is used at the University hospital of Ulm for several years.
“One of our advantages is that we know the drug already, and thus inflammatory responses, triggered by other diseases, successfully treated”, says private lecturer Dr. Beate Grüner, head of the section for Clinical infectiology, Department of Internal medicine III.
“The substance is also with us for the treatment of the so-called Graft-versus-Host disease, so the graft-versus-host reaction after bone marrow transplants in clinical development,” explains the expert.
In addition to the University hospital of Ulm will participate in the study, as expected, six other German clinics, the leadership has held the clinic for Internal medicine II, University hospital Jena, Germany. (ad)