WHO says drug blocking immune system overload reduces COVID-19 deaths

*The World Health Organisation’s researchers have discovered the drugs that block an immune protein called ‘Interleukin-6’ were most effective when used with corticosteroids, reducing the risk of death by 17 percent compared with corticosteroids alone

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said a combination of two inflammation-blocking drugs reduces hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19, compared with a standard therapy.

The UN health agency in a statement Tuesday, July 6 disclosed that adding drugs that block an immune protein called ‘Interleukin-6’ to an already widely used treatment, corticosteroids, reduces the risk of death and the need for breathing assistance.

The recommendation was based on 27 trials involving almost 11,000 people, according to the body.

Interleukin-6 can be generated when severely ill COVID-19 patients’ immune systems overreact.

This prompted WHO researchers for a study to examine the benefit of treating people hospitalised with the disease with drugs that block its effects.

The experts discovered in the study findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, that the drugs were most effective when used with corticosteroids, reducing the risk of death by 17 percent compared with corticosteroids alone. The risk of dying was also 21 percent lower for patients not on ventilation.

Claire Vale, Principal Research Fellow at the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at University College, London, in the United Kingdom (UK), said: “These results, which will lead to better outcomes for patients hospitalised with COVID-19, reflect a huge global effort.”

The research results indicated the risk of dying within 28 days was lower in patients receiving drugs that blocked interleukin-6 along with corticosteroids.

In this group, the risk of death was 21% compared with 25% in those receiving standard care.

This means that for every 100 such patients, four more will survive, the organisation stated.

Janet Diaz, Head of Clinical Management at WHO Health Emergencies, said: “Given the extent of global vaccine inequality, people in the lowest income countries will be the ones most at risk of severe and critical COVID-19.

“Those are the people these drugs need to reach.”

The study was coordinated by the WHO together with King’s College London, University of Bristol, University College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

Meanwhile, WHO said it ihoping that more will be done to improve access to these drugs in low income countries that are currently dealing with spikes in cases and low vaccine supplies.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, said: “These drugs offer hope for patients and families who are suffering from the devastating impact of severe and critical COVID-19.

“But IL-6 receptor blockers remain inaccessible and unaffordable for the majority of the world.”

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