Sarilumab ineffective in treating COVID-19

April 28, 2020  21:20

Sarilumab, which was previously used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, is ineffective with COVID-19 and does not improve the condition of patients, Regeneron reported.

Scientists associated some hopes with this drug to prevent complications of the disease associated with excessive activity of the immune system. The idea of treating COVID-19 patients with sarilumab arose after Chinese scientists published a small study in February that showed the potential of such drugs. 21 patients received the drug tocilizumab, which is similar to sarilumab over its mechanism of action. Participants in this study quickly recovered.

Preliminary data from a new study involving 457 patients with COVID-19 show that sarilumab does not help hospitalized patients who do not receive mechanical ventilation. Some patients in this study received an experimental drug, and others received a placebo.

These studies do not allow to judge whether the drug facilitated the condition of patients on mechanical ventilation.

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