The Potential for Repurposing Anti-TNF as a Therapy for the Treatment of COVID-19

• Published in: Med (New York, N.Y. : Online) Vol. 1; no. 1; p. 90
• Main Authors: Robinson, Philip C, Liew, David F L, Liew, Jean W, Monaco, Claudia, Richards, Duncan, Shivakumar, Senthuran, Tanner, Helen L, Feldmann, Marc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 18-12-2020
• Subjects: COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Cytokines; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; coronavirus disease-2019; SARS-CoV-2; glucocorticoids; tumor necrosis factor; pandemic
• ISSN: 2666-6340
• DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2020.11.005

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) currently has few effective treatments. Given the uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness and uptake of a vaccine, it is important that the search for treatments continue. An exaggerated inflammatory state is likely responsible for much of the morbidity and mortality in COVID-19. Elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a key pro-inflammatory cytokine, have been shown to be associated with increased COVID-19 mortality. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, TNF blockade reduces not only biologically active TNF but other pro-inflammatory cytokines important in COVID-19 hyperinflammation. Observational data from patients already on anti-TNF therapy show a reduced rate of COVID-19 poor outcomes and death compared with other immune-suppressing therapies. Anti-TNF has a long history of safe use, including in special at-risk populations, and is widely available. The case to adequately assess anti-TNF as a treatment for COVID-19 is compelling.