Hiding in Plain Sight: an Approach to Treating Patients with Severe COVID-19 Infection

• Published in: mBio Vol. 11; no. 2
• Main Authors: Fedson, David S., Opal, Steven M., Rordam, Ole Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society for Microbiology 20.03.2020
• Subjects: Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers - therapeutic use; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus Infections - drug therapy; Coronavirus Infections - metabolism; Coronavirus Infections - therapy; Coronavirus Infections - virology; COVID-19; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; endothelial dysfunction; generic drugs; host response treatment; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A - metabolism; Pneumonia, Viral - metabolism; Pneumonia, Viral - therapy; Pneumonia, Viral - virology; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 - biosynthesis; Receptors, Coronavirus; Receptors, Virus - biosynthesis; SARS-CoV-2; Therapeutics and Prevention; COVID-19; generic drugs; host response treatment; endothelial dysfunction
• ISSN: 2161-2129; 2150-7511; 2150-7511
• DOI: 10.1128/mBio.00398-20

Patients with COVID-19 infection are at risk of acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS) and death. The tissue receptor for COVID-19 is ACE2, and higher levels of ACE2 can protect against ARDS. Angiotensin receptor blockers and statins upregulate ACE2. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether this drug combination might be used to treat patients with severe COVID-19 infection. Patients with COVID-19 infection are at risk of acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS) and death. The tissue receptor for COVID-19 is ACE2, and higher levels of ACE2 can protect against ARDS. Angiotensin receptor blockers and statins upregulate ACE2. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether this drug combination might be used to treat patients with severe COVID-19 infection.