Published in

Future Medicine, Immunotherapy, 4(13), p. 289-295, 2021

DOI: 10.2217/imt-2020-0235

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An anti-CD6 antibody for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with cytokine-release syndrome: report of three cases

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

In COVID-19, the inflammatory cytokine-release syndrome is associated with the progression of the disease. Itolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that recognizes human CD6 expressed in activated T cells. The antibody has shown to be safe and efficacious in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Its effect is associated with the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines release, including IFN-γ, IL-6 and TNF-α. Here, we report the outcome of three severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients treated with itolizumab as part of an expanded access protocol. Itolizumab was able to reduce IL-6 concentrations in all the patients. Two of the three patients showed respiratory and radiological improvement and were fully recovered. We hypothesize this anti-inflammatory therapy in addition to antiviral and anticoagulant therapy could reduce COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality.