Several existing drugs, including anti-viral medicines, are currently being trialled worldwide for COVID-19 treatment (AFP Photo/LUCAS BARIOULET) |
Paris (AFP) - The arthritis drug tocilizumab has shown early promise in preventing extreme inflammation in gravely ill COVID-19 patients, according to a French clinical study.
The
treatment, which suppresses the body's natural immune response, was found to
reduce "significantly" the number of deaths or life support
interventions compared with a control group of patients.
The study,
carried out by the Paris university hospital trust (AP-HP), looked at 129
people hospitalised with moderate or severe viral pneumonia, which occurs in
5-10 percent of COVID-19 patients.
Half
received two injections of tocilizumab as well as standard treatment with
antibiotics, while the control group received only standard treatment.
While the
results are yet to be published, those involved in the research said it showed
clear "clinical benefit" of tocilizumab treatment.
AP-HP said
it had decided to publicise the study before publishing official results
"for public health reasons".
They
stressed however that further research was needed on the effectiveness of the
drug and the potential for side effects.
Tocilizumab,
sold under the brand names Actemra and RoAcemtra, is commonly used to treat
rheumatoid arthritis.
It is a
lab-synthesised antibody that inhibits against a specific protein receptor
involved in the body's natural immune response.
Researchers
believe the drug might be able to stave off a state of heightened immune
response known as cytokine storms -- where the body's reaction to a foreign
body such as a disease or chemical creates acute inflammation.
Cytokine
storms can be deadly and occur in severely ill COVID-19 patients.
Tocilizumab
currently costs around 800 euros ($870) per injection.
Several
existing drugs, including anti-viral medicines, are currently being trialled
worldwide for COVID-19 treatment.
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