2021 update of the EULAR points to consider on the use of immunomodulatory therapies in COVID-19

Alunno, A. et al. (2022) 2021 update of the EULAR points to consider on the use of immunomodulatory therapies in COVID-19. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 81(1), pp. 34-40. (doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-221366) (PMID:34620584) (PMCID:PMC8507408)

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Abstract

Objectives: To update the EULAR points to consider (PtCs) on the use of immunomodulatory therapies in COVID-19. Methods: According to the EULAR standardised operating procedures, a systematic literature review up to 14 July 2021 was conducted and followed by a consensus meeting of an international multidisciplinary task force. The new statements were consolidated by formal voting. Results: We updated 2 overarching principles and 12 PtC. Evidence was only available in moderate to severe and critical patients. Glucocorticoids alone or in combination with tocilizumab are beneficial in COVID-19 cases requiring oxygen therapy and in critical COVID-19. Use of Janus kinase inhibitors (baricitinib and tofacitinib) is promising in the same populations of severe and critical COVID-19. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and convalescent plasma may find application in early phases of the disease and in selected subgroups of immunosuppressed patients. There was insufficient robust evidence for the efficacy of other immunomodulators with further work being needed in relation to biomarker-based stratification for IL-1 therapy Conclusions: Growing evidence supports incremental efficacy of glucocorticoids alone or combined with tocilizumab/Janus kinase inhibitors in moderate to severe and critical COVID-19. Ongoing studies may unmask the potential application of other therapeutic approaches. Involvement of rheumatologists, as systemic inflammatory diseases experts, should be encouraged in clinical trials of immunomodulatory therapy in COVID-19.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McInnes, Professor Iain and Najm, Dr Aurelie
Authors: Alunno, A., Najm, A., Machado, P. M., Bertheussen, H., Burmester, G.-R. R., Carubbi, F., De Marco, G., Giacomelli, R., Hermine, O., Isaacs, J. D., Koné-Paut, I., Magro-Checa, C., McInnes, I. B., Meroni, P. L., Quartuccio, L., Ramanan, A.V., Ramos-Casals, M., Rodríguez Carrio, J., Schulze-Koops, H., Stamm, T. A., Tas, S. W., Terrier, B., McGonagle, D. G., and Mariette, X.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Research Centre:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Immunobiology
Journal Name:Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Publisher:BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN:0003-4967
ISSN (Online):1468-2060
Published Online:09 October 2021

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