Pegylated interferon-lambda prevents hospitalization and reduces mortality from coronavirus. Scientists reported this in a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
When infected with the coronavirus, cells produce interferon-lambda (IFN-lambda) in small amounts. The production of IFN-lambda is an early protective reaction of the body to upper respiratory tract infections.
The introduction of pegylated interferon-lambda is effective against a wide range of viruses. In more than 20 clinical trials, pegylated IFN-lambda has been used to treat more than 4000 patients with hepatitis B, C and D and COVID-19. IFN-lambda showed a good safety profile and a low number of side effects.
Scientists conducted a large randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 2617 adult patients with coronavirus. All patients sought medical attention within 7 days of the onset of symptoms.
75% of patients are at risk for severe COVID-19:
- age 50 and older;
- diabetes;
- arterial hypertension requiring medication;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- lung diseases;
- smoking;
- obesity (body mass index >30);
- organ transplantation;
- Stage IV chronic kidney disease or receiving dialysis;
- immunosuppressive therapy (reception ≥10 mg of prednisolone or its equivalent daily);
- cancer within the previous 6 months and receiving chemotherapy for cancer.
The remaining 25% of participants have severe or debilitating symptoms of COVID-19.
Patients were divided into 2 groups:
- 931 people received an injection of interferon-lambda (180 mcg);
- 1018 received a placebo.
Interferon-Lambda Twice Reduces Hospitalization Risk
In the group of patients who received interferon-lambda, 25 of 931 people (2.7%) were hospitalized. In the placebo group – 57 out of 1018 patients (5.6%). IFN-lambda reduced the likelihood of hospitalization by 51%.
The therapeutic effect of IFN-lambda was increased in patients who received the injection within 3 days of the onset of symptoms. In the interferon group, 11 out of 567 patients (1.9%) were hospitalized, and in the placebo group – 28 out of 590 patients (4.7%).
Interferon-Lambda Reduces Mortality by 81%
The risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization or death from any cause was 47% lower in the interferon group than in the placebo group. In the interferon group, one death was associated with coronavirus, while in the placebo group – four deaths were.
The median time to recovery was 10 days in both groups.
The therapeutic effect of interferon-lambda was increased in patients who received an injection within 3 days of the onset of symptoms. The rate of coronavirus-related hospitalizations was 65% lower in the interferon group than in the placebo group, and the risk of death from coronavirus was 81% lower in the interferon group than in the placebo group.
In unvaccinated patients who received the injection within 3 days of symptom onset, the risk of death was reduced by 89%. There were no deaths in this subgroup.
Interferon-lambda is effective for various coronavirus strains, including Delta and Omicron.
There was no significant difference between the IFN-lambda and placebo groups regarding adverse events.
Interferon-Lambda Significantly Reduces Viral Load on Day 7
Among patients with a high initial viral load (>192 million copies of viral RNA per ml), the treatment effect was observed on the 7th day. In patients in the interferon group, viral load decreased more by day 7 than in the placebo group. 50.5% of patients in the IFN-lambda group on the 7th day after treatment had a viral load below the detection limit (≥1000 copies of viral RNA per ml). In the placebo group – 32.9% of patients were.
Conclusion
A single subcutaneous injection of pegylated interferon-lambda given within 7 days of coronavirus symptoms is effective against various strains, including Delta and Omicron. The greatest efficiency is with the introduction of IFN-lambda within 3 days from the onset of symptoms.
IFN-lambda accelerates the decline in viral load, reduces the risk of hospitalization by 51% and reduces coronavirus mortality by 81%.
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Reference
Early Treatment with Pegylated Interferon Lambda for Covid-19
