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Cancer Drug Identifed as Possible Treatment for COVID-19

By | Jun 08, 2020 08:30 AM EDT
(Photo : Photo by Al3xanderD from Pixabay )

Nearly all major pharmaceutical manufacturing companies are continuing to study and conduct clinical trials for various vaccines, antiviral agents, and other types of treatments to control the coronavirus pandemic.

One of these potentially effective options has come from an initial finding from research that deals with a cancer drug called Acalabrutinib. The drug was used in the study for a certain number of COVID-19 cases. It was used to obstruct a protein called Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), which had a positive outcome as reported by Medical Xpress. BTK inhibitors are mainly given to individuals who have leukemia or lymphoma, or both. 

These recent findings can be found in the Science Immunology journal.

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The observational study was spearheaded by members of the Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer Institute. Acalabrutinib was given to 11 supplemental oxygen patients and eight mechanical ventilation patients. All of them were confirmed cases of COVID-19, which also exhibited hypoxemia and inflammation.

The researchers wanted to see if the drug could help soften an exaggerated state of inflammation called "cytokine storm." This immune response is mostly present in individuals with severe COVID-19 symptoms and is triggered by macrophage activation.

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In this event, there would be a build-up of proteins called cytokines, but somewhat out of control. A hyperactive immune response can be present for individuals who have COVID-19, autoimmune disease, and cancer patients undergoing biologic therapy. 

Acalabrutinib, by the end of the treatment span, was found to have helped eight of the eleven patients who could now breathe without any assistance and no longer require supplemental oxygen. In comparison, four of the eight patients on mechanical ventilation were extubated, with two of the eight also coming off ventilators, as mentioned in Eureka Alert.

However, the report also mentioned that two patients died.

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Acalabrutinib Explained

The drug is a relatively well-known treatment for lymphomas and B-Cell leukemias. As mentioned earlier, Acalabrutinib has classified under the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors. 

Importantly, the researchers found out that the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) waned down after the administration of Acalabrutinib. IL-6 is closely affiliated with hyper inflammation for anyone who is suffering from severe COVID-19. This leads them to the suggestion that Acalabrutinib works as BTK has been hyperactive in the immune cells of those positive with COVID-19, as reported by Science Daily.

They have concluded that the drug can rework immunologic responses in both cancer and the coronavirus. However, despite the positive results, it should be noted that these are not clinically advised. Further testing should be done again in randomized and controlled test areas, as reported by the National Institutes of Health.

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