StemCell Therapy

Treating COVID-19 or Rheumatoid Arthritis? Exploring Proposed Drug Therapy, Safety Concerns

Jessica Mattingly, PharmD Candidate, Amy Priest, PharmD Candidate, and Emily Frederick, PharmD

COVID-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets. In severe cases, the virus can wreak havoc on the lungs and may lead to the development of pneumonia or the potentially fatal condition acute respiratory distress syndrome.2 Consequently, due to the toll the disease takes on the body, some patients are left unable to fight the infection. Upon discovering the effects on the lung, researchers determined the infection that leads to COVID-19 to be severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-COV-2).2

This viral infection in the lungs leads to the excessive production of cytokines, causing a phenomenon known as a cytokine storm. This storm begins with the release of interleukin-1 (IL-1), along with other cytokines, within minutes to hours of infection. The immune system is then further stimulated by interleukin-6 (IL-6) as it attempts to eradicate the infection.

Finally, interleukin-10 (IL-10) production is stimulated to tone down the immune response. However, at this stage, the cytokine storm has already damaged the lung tissue and must be repaired in order to help eradicate the infection.

The damage is repaired by producing new collagen tissue. Meanwhile, the infection may still be worsening throughout the body and potentiating further complications, sepsis, and possible mortality.3 With the potentially severe consequences of COVID-19 infection, it is vital to identify treatment options that are effective while minimizing harm from potential adverse drug reactions.

As scientists fervently research treatments, one avenue of exploration has been repurposing existing drugs as COVID-19 treatments. Examples of repurposed drugs are those commonly indicated for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, what characteristics of RA treatments possibly connect to COVID-19 treatment?

RA is an autoimmune disease wherein treatments are targeted to suppress the immune system to preserve functional use and reduce pain in patients with the disease. The mainstays of therapy include drugs that inhibit the immune system mainly through actions on cytokines and T-cells. However, some drugs commonly used to treat RA can also be utilized in other conditions.

For example, hydroxychloroquine, which reduces cytokine production is also used for malaria prophylaxis but relies on a different mechanism of action for this purpose. Although hydroxychloroquine was granted EUA for treating COVID-191 in March 2020, some studies have found cause for safety concerns, including increased risk of death.4 Studies are ongoing to to determine the efficacy and safety of the drug for COVID-19. In RA treatment, hydroxychloroquines efficacy may be at least in part secondary its effects on cytokine production. Furthermore, for COVID-19, hydroxychloroquine may inhibit the virus ability to bind/penetrate respiratory cells.5

Many other drugs that also treat autoimmune diseases (including RA agents) have been proposed but require more clinical data.6,7

When considering these drugs as possible COVID-19 treatments, the safety and common adverse effects of these proposed medications should be considered and weighed carefully (Table). At the time of publication, only hydroxychloroquine and remdesivir (which is not indicated for RA) had compassionate use status. This use brings an enhanced focus on drug safety profiles to light.

Perhaps the most concerning safety issue associated with hydroxychloroquine treatment is potential cardiac toxicity, specifically with noted changes in ECG readings leading to some patients discontinuing drug therapy.8 Another noted safety concern is retinal toxicity.

This effect can occur with both acute and long-term use but is rare in the acute phase (<1%). The risk of retinal toxicity, however, is increased in doses above 5 mg/kg of actual body weight daily or with extended therapies. Consequently, ocular examinations are recommended prior to initiation of chronic therapy but may not be meaningful or feasible for COVID-19 patients requiring swift intervention.9

Table 1: Summary of RA Agents Proposed as COVID-19 Treatments Potential COVID-19 Therapy

For SARS-CoV-19 on the other hand, hydroxychloroquines potentially effective actions include binding to Salic acid residues and gangliosides. This action prevents the virus from attaching to these sites and getting into the cell in order to replicate.3

The other medications listed in the table (excluding corticosteroids) block a specific aspect of interleukins, which are other immune system regulators like cytokines. Tocilizumab and sarilumab are both IL-6 inhibitors while anakinra is an IL-1 inhibitor.

These affect the immune process at a certain location without blocking the entire immune system and help limit the cytokine storm. Tocilizumab has an indication for the treatment of cytokine release syndrome due to chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy in severe or life-threatening cases. Meanwhile corticosteroids inhibit inflammatory mediators.

In summary, although each medication exerts its effects differently, they all work in some way to inhibit a portion of the immune response that could present a risk of secondary infections in those with already taxed immune systems, such as COVID-19 patients.10-15

Upon inspection of the medications considered to potentially treat COVID-19, common goals seem to be a reduction in cytokine storm by either inhibiting interleukins in the storm itself or inhibiting the entry of the virus into cells. With the decrease in the cytokine storm comes the reduction of the damage done to the lungs by the immune system and possibly decreased clinical worsening, sepsis, and ultimate mortality.

Continued research is drastically needed in this area to gain insight on an effective strategy to combat COVID-19. Providers must also continue to consider potential safety repercussions of treatment options, particularly the safety of proposed immunosuppressive agents.

REFERENCES

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Treating COVID-19 or Rheumatoid Arthritis? Exploring Proposed Drug Therapy, Safety Concerns - Pharmacy Times

This entry was posted on June 4, 2020 at 11:42 pm and is filed under Arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |