HOME THERAPY of Covid-19 of patients with mild symptoms constitutes one of the most important aspects in the clinical management of these patients, as well as representing a fundamental barrier to avoid inappropriate hospitalizations and overcrowding of hospitals. This is the context of a study promoted by the Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT) of the CNR, in collaboration with the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, which after being approved by AIFA is now ready to enroll patients in Rome. The trial will be carried out by the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) “Lazzaro Spallanzani” which with the Special Regional Assistance Continuity Unit (USCAR) will monitor the effects of interferon beta in 60 patients with few symptoms and over 65 at home. The results of the trial will be analyzed by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment in reducing the progression to more severe forms and in accelerating negativization.
Covid, the genetic variation that can aggravate men under 60
by Donatella Zorzetto
Several experts promoters of the study: Filippo Belardelli, former Director of the Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine of the ISS, now Senior Associate Researcher at the IFT, and Giuseppe Sconocchia of the IFT of the CNR. Leading the experiment will be Emanuele Nicastri (Director of the Spallanzani High Intensity Infectious Diseases Care Unit), who will make use of the cooperation of Pier Luigi Bartoletti and Ombretta Papa, referents of the USCAR.
Covid, so herd immunity has become a mirage
by Elisa Manacorda
The interferons play an essential role in viral infections, acting as an alarm bell. Several studies, some of which conducted in the ISS laboratories, have shown that in addition to a direct antiviral activity, which is best expressed in the early stages of the infection, interferon beta also has strong immunomodulatory properties including induction of antibodies and stimulation of cellular responses against the virus.
“It is known – explains Belardelli – that elderly subjects show a physiological reduction in interferon levels, which makes them more vulnerable to infections. It is now clear that interferons play a key role in controlling the earliest stages of Coronavirus replication and in activating the immune system. And it is precisely from here that the rationale for the study arises, that is to restore optimal levels of interferon in the early stages of infection in elderly patients “.
Covid-19, children’s immune response changes with age
by Tina Simoniello
According to Eleonora Aricò, coordinator of the ISS project, treatment with Interferon could “stimulate a better immune response against the virus, thus minimizing the risk of disease progression”.
“Interferon beta has been in the clinic for many years and this time it will be used at a low dose that should have no side effects,” Sconocchia points out. “Other clinical studies have used it in patients with Covid-19, but always in the most advanced stage of the disease, when perhaps it was too late. The innovative rationale of this study therefore lies in the timing of the treatment that will in fact take place at the patients’ home “. And in conclusion Nicastri added that “the spread of new viral variants shows the importance of identifying drugs, even at home, capable of fighting the virus from the early stages of infection, reducing symptoms in those most vulnerable to Covid-19”.
(M.G.)
.