2. Academic Validation
  3. An anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody (itolizumab) reduces circulating IL-6 in severe COVID-19 elderly patients

An anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody (itolizumab) reduces circulating IL-6 in severe COVID-19 elderly patients

  • Immun Ageing. 2020 Nov 14;17(1):34. doi: 10.1186/s12979-020-00207-8.
Danay Saavedra 1,  Ana Laura Añé-Kourí 2,  Naivy Sánchez 3,  Lázaro Manuel Filgueira 4,  Julio Betancourt 4,  Carlos Herrera 4,  Leniel Manso 4,  Elibet Chávez 5,  Armando Caballero 4,  Carlos Hidalgo 3,  Geydi Lorenzo 6,  Meylan Cepeda 6,  Carmen Valenzuela 6,  Mayra Ramos 6,  Kalet León 6,  Zaima Mazorra 6,  Tania Crombet 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Clinical Immunology. Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St, Corner 15, PO Box 16040, Havana, Atabey, Cuba. [email protected].
  • 2 Biochemical Department. ICBP "Victoria de Girón", Calle 146 # 3102, La Habana, Playa, Cuba.
  • 3 Manuel Piti Fajardo Universitary Hospital. Ciudad Escolar Abel Santamaría, U/M 9958, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba.
  • 4 Arnaldo Milian Castro Universitary Hospital, Arnaldo Milián Castro St, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba.
  • 5 Cardiocentro "Ernesto Che Guevara", Cuba St N° 610, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba.
  • 6 Department of Clinical Immunology. Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St, Corner 15, PO Box 16040, Havana, Atabey, Cuba.
PMID: 33292350 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-020-00207-8
Abstract

Background: Since the COVID-19 outbreak an unprecedented challenge for healthcare systems around the world has been placed. In Cuba, the first case of COVID-19 was reported on March 11. Elderly with multiple comorbidities have been the most risky population. Although most patients present a mild to moderate disease, some have developed severe symptoms. One of the possible mechanisms underlying rapid disease progression is a cytokine storm, in which interleukin (IL) -6 seems to be a major mediator. Itolizumab is a humanized recombinant anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody (MAb), with the ability of reducing serum interferon gamma (INF-γ), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and IL-6. Based on these previous results in patients with psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, an expanded access clinical trial was approved by the Cuban regulatory agency for COVID-19 critically, severely and moderately ill patients.

Results: We show here a short kinetic of IL-6 serum concentration in the first 24 COVID-19 patients treated with itolizumab. Most of patients were elderly with multiple comorbidities. We found that with one itolizumab dose, the circulating IL-6 decreased in critically and severely ill patients, whereas in moderately ill patients the values didn't rise as compared to their low baseline levels.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that itolizumab could be an attractive therapeutic option to decrease the negative outcome of the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients.

Trial registration: CECMED IIC RD-EC 179, RPCEC00000311. Registered 4 May 2020 - Retrospectively registered, http://rpcec.sld.cu/ensayos/RPCEC00000311-Sp or http://rpcec.sld.cu/trials/RPCEC00000311-En.

Keywords

COVID-19; Cytokine release syndrome; IL-6; Itolizumab.

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