Interferon beta-1b for COVID-19

Type Journal Article Author Sarah Shalhoub URL https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(20)31101-6.pdf Series The Lancet Comment Volume 395 Publication The Lancet Date 08/05/2020 DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/ S0140-6736(20)31101-6 Language en Abstract Existing literature on the efficacy of different treat-ments for 2003 SARS-CoV and 2012 Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) provides some insight into options for potential repurposing of these drugs for SARS-CoV-2 treatment. Clinical studies on the efficacy of type I interferons, including interferon alfa and interferon beta, in the treatment of SARS-CoV had variable results.3,4 Additionally, studies on the effects of these treatments on survival of patients with MERS-CoV have not shown significant benefits.5,6SARS-CoV-2 triggered lower type I interferon responses than SARS-CoV in an ex-vivo study in human lung tissue7 and was found to be more susceptible to type I interferons than SARS-CoV.