Dataset Information

Thalidomide combined with short-term low-dose glucocorticoid therapy for the treatment of severe COVID-19: A case-series study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The aim was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of thalidomide, an immunomodulatory agent, in combination with glucocorticoid, for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with life-threatening symptoms.

Methods

A nonrandomized comparative case series study was performed. Six patients received thalidomide 100 mg per day (with therapy lasting for ?7 days) plus low-dose short-term dexamethasone, and 6 control patients matched with patients in the thalidomide group, received low-dose short-term treatment with dexamethasone alone. The main outcomes were: the duration of SARS-CoV-2 negative conversion from admission; length of hospital stay; and changes in inflammatory cytokine concentrations and lymphocyte subsets.

Results

The median thalidomide treatment time was 12.0 days. The median duration of SARS-CoV-2 negative conversion from admission and hospital stay length were briefer in the thalidomide group compared to the control group (respectively, 11.0 vs 23.0 days, P = 0.043; 18.5 vs 30.0 days, P = 0.043). The mean reduction rates at 7-10 days after treatment for serum interleukin-6 and interferon-? concentrations were greater in the thalidomide group compared to the control group. Alterations in lymphocyte numbers in the subsets between the 2 groups were similar.

Conclusions

Thalidomide plus short-term glucocorticoid therapy is an effective and safe regimen for the treatment of severely ill COVID-19 patients. The mechanism of action is most likely inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production.

SUBMITTER: Li Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7834521 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Thalidomide combined with short-term low-dose glucocorticoid therapy for the treatment of severe COVID-19: A case-series study.

Li Yuping Y Shi Keqing K Qi Feng F Yu Zhijie Z Chen Chengshui C Pan Jingye J Wu Gaojun G Chen Yanfang Y Li Ji J Chen Yongping Y Zhou Tieli T Li Xiaokun X Xia Jinglin J

International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases 20201214

<h4>Objectives</h4>The aim was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of thalidomide, an immunomodulatory agent, in combination with glucocorticoid, for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with life-threatening symptoms.<h4>Methods</h4>A nonrandomized comparative case series study was performed. Six patients received thalidomide 100 mg per day (with therapy lasting for ≥7 days) plus low-dose short-term dexamethasone, and 6 control patients matched with patients in the thalidomide group, receive ...[more]

PMID: 33333254

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Dataset Information

Thalidomide combined with short-term low-dose glucocorticoid therapy for the treatment of severe COVID-19: A case-series study.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Thalidomide combined with short-term low-dose glucocorticoid therapy for the treatment of severe COVID-19: A case-series study.

Similar Datasets

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