Resolution of COVID-19 induced anosmia following treatment with ST266

• Published in: Otolaryngology case reports Vol. 25; p. 100475
• Main Authors: Bhutani, Devica L, Ross, Ahmara G, Lehman, Amanda Y, Shindler, Kenneth S
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 01.11.2022
• ISSN: 2468-5488
• DOI: 10.1016/j.xocr.2022.100475

BackgroundPersistent anosmia following COVID-19 disease affects a significant subset of patients. Symptoms of this olfactory dysfunction negatively impact patient quality of life, and effective treatments are lacking; therefore, novel therapies that restore the ability to smell have tremendous clinical potential. Case reportA 46-year-old female enrolled in a phase I clinical trial to assess the safety of targeted intranasal administration of a novel acellular secretome therapy (ST266) in patients diagnosed as glaucoma suspects. The patient reported greater than one year history of loss of smell that started following a presumed positive case of COVID-19. Following a 28-day treatment course of bilateral intranasal administration of ST266, the patient had resolution of her long-standing anosmia. ConclusionThis case demonstrates resolution of COVID-19-induced persistent anosmia after intranasal treatment with a novel acellular secretome therapy. Further studies are warranted to determine the potential of ST266 and its components to treat anosmia.