Itolizumab,an anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody,as a potential treatment for COVID-19 complications

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The globally rampant SARS CoV-2 pandemic requires novel medical strategies to control the severity of disease and death due to complications. Of the 15–20% patients that develop pulmonary symptoms, a sub-set develops an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) rapidly progressing into a critical condition. Marked elevation of cytokines/chemokines is observed with elevation of additional markers of inflammation, coagulation, and organ damage such as CRP, D-dimer, LDH, Ferritin and Troponin-I. This hyperinflammation leads to worsening of oxygen saturation due to pulmonary infiltration and exudation, organ damage, and dysfunction of coagulation pathway and may lead to multi-organ failure.