Using interferon lambda as a potential antiviral against SARS-CoV-2
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 17th, 2023
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As a defense against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cells in the human upper respiratory tract produce Interferon Lambda to inhibit viral replication. The cytokine had previously been utilized to help patients with Hepatitis B and C. A group of scientists had recently tested the effect of pegylated interferon lambda in treating patients that had been diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.
The trial was conducted in Brazil and Canada between June 2021 to February 2022. 933 adults that had been diagnosed with COVID-19 were given a subcutaneous injection with 180 micrograms of Interferon Lambda. The medication was provided by the Eiger BioPharmaceuticals company; however, the supplier was not told of the trial to reduce any unnecessary bias. These patients were matched with 1018 healthy counterparts who were given placebo. In total, 83% of the study participants had been vaccinated. After 28 days of surveillance, the researcher found that interferon lambda reduced the risk of COVID-19 related hospitalization by 51%. The treatment also significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization, the length of hospitalization, and death. Consistent with the safety profile previously reported by studies that examined the usage of interferon lambda on Hepatitis B and C infection, there was no significant difference between the frequency of adverse events between the placebo and interferon lambda groups.
The trial was conducted in Brazil and Canada between June 2021 to February 2022. 933 adults that had been diagnosed with COVID-19 were given a subcutaneous injection with 180 micrograms of Interferon Lambda. The medication was provided by the Eiger BioPharmaceuticals company; however, the supplier was not told of the trial to reduce any unnecessary bias. These patients were matched with 1018 healthy counterparts who were given placebo. In total, 83% of the study participants had been vaccinated. After 28 days of surveillance, the researcher found that interferon lambda reduced the risk of COVID-19 related hospitalization by 51%. The treatment also significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization, the length of hospitalization, and death. Consistent with the safety profile previously reported by studies that examined the usage of interferon lambda on Hepatitis B and C infection, there was no significant difference between the frequency of adverse events between the placebo and interferon lambda groups.