Journal
IMMUNOTHERAPY
Volume 14, Issue 3, Pages 185-193Publisher
FUTURE MEDICINE LTD
DOI: 10.2217/imt-2021-0269
Keywords
COVID-19; cytokine release syndrome; EGFR; monoclonal antibody; nimotuzumab; SARS-CoV-2
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Funding
- Cuban Ministry of Health
- Center of Molecular Immunology
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Nimotuzumab, a safe anti-EGFR antibody, when used to treat patients with COVID-19, significantly improved clinical symptoms, reduced lung lesions, and prevented fibrosis.
Background: In COVID-19, EGFR production is upregulated in the alveolar epithelial cells. EGFR overexpression further activates STAT-3 and increases lung pathology. The EGFR pathway is also one of the major nodes in pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: Nimotuzumab, a humanized anti-EGFR antibody, was used to treat three patients with severe or moderate COVID-19. The antibody was administered in combination with other drugs included in the national COVID-19 protocol. Results: Nimotuzumab was well tolerated. IL-6 decreased from the first antibody infusion. Clinical symptoms significantly improved after nimotuzumab administration, and the CT scans at discharge showed major resolution of the lung lesions and no signs of fibrosis. Conclusion: Safe anti-EGFR antibodies like nimotuzumab may modulate COVID-19-associated hyperinflammation and prevent fibrosis.
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