Efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil versus interferon α-2b as adjuvant therapy after surgery in ocular surface squamous neoplasia in a southern European tertiary hospital.

PURPOSE: To analyze the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of adjuvant therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) compared to interferon α-2b (IFNα-2b) after surgery in ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). METHODS: Retrospective study that included patients diagnosed with OSSN, who underwent surgical excision followed by adjuvant therapy with IFN α-2b (Group A) or 5-FU (Group B), in a tertial referral hospital. Clinical data collected included: demographics, risk factors, appearance, size and location of the lesions, slit-lamp examination, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, iconography and histological classification of subtypes of OSSN. Costs derived from surgery and adjuvant therapy were noted. Resolution of the lesion, recurrences and adverse events were studied. Cost-effectiveness analysis was performed with the incremental cost-effectiveness index (CEI). RESULTS: 54 cases of 54 patients were included, with a mean age of 74.4 years (range 28-109). 30 were male (55.6%), and predominantly Caucasian (79.6%). The main risk factor was prolonged sun exposure (79.6%). Leukoplakic appearance (48.1%), location in bulbar conjunctiva (48.2%) and T3 (46.3%) stage were the most common clinical features. Histologically, the percentage of CIN I, CIN II, CIN III and SCC were 25.9%, 29.6%, 40.7% and 3.7%, respectively. Complete resolution was obtained in 74.1% and tolerance was overall positive. The cost was significantly higher for IFNα (1025€ ± 130.68€) compared to 5-FU (165.57€ ± 45.85 €) (p 0.001). The CEI was - 247.14€. CONCLUSIONS: Both 5-FU and IFN α-2b are effective and present a good security profile as adjuvant therapies after surgery in OSSN. Although presenting slightly more ocular complications, 5-FU can be considered more cost-effective than IFN α-2b.

Adjuvant Topical Interferon Alpha 2b for the Treatment of Monkeypox Ocular Manifestations.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report a case of ocular Mpox that responded favorably to treatment with topical interferon and oral doxycycline. METHODS: This is a case report of a previously healthy 24-year-old woman who developed a pustular rash, headache, fever, arthralgia, sore throat, and asthenia 3 weeks before attending to our clinic. Her main complaint at the moment of the visit was pain, photophobia, foreign body sensation, blurred vision, red eye, and discharge on the left eye. The slit-lamp examination of the left eye showed severe conjunctival hyperemia associated with tarsal follicles, 360 degrees ciliary injection, diffuse corneal epithelial edema with white linear epithelial infiltrates, pigmented and nonpigmented keratic precipitates, and two 1-mm peripheral corneal ulcers with white infiltrates, associated with positive fluorescein staining. Anterior chamber cellularity and flare were mildly present. RESULTS: Mpox with ocular manifestations diagnosis was confirmed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay (qRT-PCR) testing; samples were taken from corneal, conjunctival, and nasopharynx swab as well as a skin scab. Topical interferon alpha 2b 1 MIU/mL every 6 hours for 1 month and oral doxycycline 100 mg BID were administered along with other medications with consequent decrease of inflammation and malaise symptoms 1 week later, associated with uncorrected visual acuity improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Alternative and efficacious treatment options for Mpox ocular manifestations are needed to prevent further disease progression and sequelae in countries with no access to the gold-standard therapy. Topical interferon alpha 2b and oral doxycycline have shown adequate response as shown with this patient.

Medical treatment for ocular surface squamous neoplasia.

Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is the most common non-melanocytic tumour of the ocular surface. Surgical excision with wide margins using the "no-touch" method was originally the most popular treatment for OSSN. However, in the past two decades, the use of topical medications for OSSN treatment has gained a reputation amongst ophthalmologists for being an effective alternative to surgical excision. Furthermore, technological advancements, such as those seen in high-resolution optical coherence tomography (HR-OCT) for the anterior segment, have facilitated the diagnosis and monitoring of OSSN. When selecting a topical agent, interferon alpha-2b (IFNα-2b) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are two of the gentlest medications used for OSSN and are often considered first line therapies due to their high-resolution rates and mild side effect profiles. Mitomycin C (MMC), on the other hand, has a highly toxic profile; therefore, while effective, in our hands it is considered as a second-line treatment for OSSN if the other modalities fail. In addition, newer and less studied agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, retinoic acid, aloe vera, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor have anti-neoplastic properties and have shown potential for the treatment of OSSN. We enclose an updated literature review of medical treatments for OSSN.

Conjunctival papilloma treatment outcomes: a 12-year-retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Conjunctival papilloma is often resistant to treatment. Various therapies have been reported with no gold standard. The purpose of this study was to compare treatment outcomes after various therapies. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 30 conjunctival papilloma patients from 2009-2020. Data on demographics, tumour characteristics, primary treatment and outcomes were collected. The primary outcome was the frequency of complete tumour resolution and recurrence rate of each primary therapy. The secondary outcome was treatment related side effects. RESULTS: The mean age was 57.5 years (3-93 years) with male predominance (n = 22, 73.3%). Eleven eyes were treated with interferon α-2b (IFN), seven with 5-fluorouracil (5FU), and 10 with excision biopsy and cryotherapy (6 with adjuvant therapy with IFN). The frequency of tumour resolution was 36.4% (4/11), 28.5% (2/7), and 100% (10/10) in each group, respectively. The mean time to resolution was faster in the surgical group compared to the medical group (1 day vs 159 days, p < 0.001). There was higher tumour recurrence with 11% in the surgical vs 0% in the medical group at 6 months and at 12 months, 22% recurrence in the surgical and 0% in the medical group (p = 0.52). However, the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Papilloma resolution is faster with surgical excision as compared to medical therapy. However, recurrences are more frequent after surgical versus medical treatment.

Efficacy and safety of topical 5-fluorouracil in conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia refractory to interferon alpha-2b.

PURPOSE: To report the efficacy and safety of 5-fluorouracil as the second line of treatment for two cases of conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia refractive to topical interferon alpha-2b. CASE REPORT: In the first case, a 77-year-old woman was evaluated because of a fleshy vascularized lesion in the temporal conjunctiva on her right eye with leukoplakia of the corneal epithelium from 10- to 5-o'clock limbus. In the second case, an 81-year-old man, a nodular lesion in the temporal conjunctiva on his RE, with corneal adjacent opalescence, one millimeter in extent, was observed. Both patients were initially treated with excisional surgery, the samples being reported as conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia with high-grade dysplasia. Co-adjuvant treatment with topical interferon alpha-2b 1 mIU/mL was indicated 4 times/day uninterruptedly. In the first case, there was no response despite 8 months of treatment, while in the second, the corneal lesion progressed in an arboriform pattern after 4 months of topical chemotherapy. MANAGEMENT & OUTCOME: In the absence of efficacy, the treatment was then changed to topical 5-fluorouracil (1%), 4 times/day for 7 days with a time-lapse of 21 days off, which constitutes a course. Two and four courses of treatment with 5-fluorouracil 1% were completed in both cases in the absence of important side effects. After the first course, both patients showed complete remission of the lesions. No clinical signs of relapse were noted after 1 year of follow-up. DISCUSSION: The treatment with 5-fluorouracil is a good option as the second line of treatment for conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia who are low-responders to interferon alpha-2b, with fewer side effects than other currently available alternatives.

The chemoprotective effects of IFN-α-2b on rat hepatocarcinogenesis are blocked by vitamin E supplementation.

Many cancer patients receive their classical therapies together with vitamin supplements. However, the effectiveness of these strategies is on debate. Here we aimed to evaluate how vitamin E supplementation affects the anticancer effects of interferon (IFN-α) using an early-model of liver cancer development (initiation-promotion, IP). Male Wistar rats subjected to this model were divided as follows: untreated (IP), IP treated with recombinant IFN-α-2b (6.5  ×  105 U/kg), IP treated with vitamin E (50 mg/kg), and IP treated with combination of vitamin E and IFN-α-2b. After treatments rats were fasted and euthanized and plasma and livers were collected. Combined administration of vitamin E and IFN-α-2b induced body weight drop, increased liver apoptosis, and low levels of hepatic lipids. Interestingly, vitamin E and IFN-α-2b combination also induced an increase in altered hepatic foci number, but not in size. It seems that vitamin E acts on its antioxidant capability in order to block the oxidative stress induced by IFN-α-2b, blocking in turn its beneficial effects on preneoplastic livers, leading to harmful final effects. In conclusion, this study shows that vitamin E supplementation in IFN-α-2b-treated rats exerts unwanted effects; and highlights that in spite of being natural, nutritional supplements may not always exert beneficial outcomes when used as complementary therapy for the treatment of cancer.

Therapeutic approaches for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Therapeutic approaches to COVID-19 treatment require appropriate inhibitors to target crucial proteins of SARS-CoV-2 replication machinery. It's been approximately 12 months since the pandemic started, yet no known specific drugs are available. However, research progresses with time in terms of high throughput virtual screening (HTVS) and rational design of repurposed, novel synthetic and natural products discovery by understanding the viral life cycle, immuno-pathological and clinical outcomes in patients based on host's nutritional, metabolic, and lifestyle status. Further, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches have also improved resiliency and immune responses. In this article, we summarize all the therapeutic antiviral strategies for COVID-19 drug discovery including computer aided virtual screening, repurposed drugs, immunomodulators, vaccines, plasma therapy, various adjunct therapies, and phage technology to unravel insightful mechanistic pathways of targeting SARS-CoV-2 and host's intrinsic, innate immunity at multiple checkpoints that aid in the containment of the disease.

[Effect of anticoagulant therapy on the course of COVID-19 in comorbid patients].

INTRODUCTION: Analysis of the pathogenesis of coronavirus infection caused SARS-CoV-2 indicates a significant impact of hemorheological disorders on its course and outcomes. It is known that chronic cardiovascular diseases are associated with the risk of severe course and lethal outcomes both in COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Therefore, in each case it is necessary to study the interaction and mutual influence of different components of the treatment program prescribed to such patients.The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of coagulation activity on the course of a novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and to justify the management of comorbid patients having been received novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in previously selected doses according to indications in concomitant somatic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total 76 cases of confirmed coronavirus infection in patients who had been received initial therapy on an outpatient basis were analyzed. 26 patients who received NOACs (rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran) made up the main group and 50 - the comparison (control) group in which patients had not been administered any drugs that affect blood clotting until the episode of COVID-19. All patients have been prescribed therapy following the Provisional guidelines «Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus infection (COVID-19)¼ (https://static-0.minzdrav.gov.ru/system/attachments/attaches/). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The number of hospitalizations was significantly fewer in the group of patients who had been received NOACs (19 vs. 66% in the control group). No deaths or cases of severe respiratory and/or renal failure were observed in the main group, while adverse outcomes were noted in 14% of patients who had not been administered these drugs. CONCLUSION: Taking NOACs reduces the probability of severe course and adverse outcomes in the development of coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, which indicates a significant contribution of coagulation mechanisms to the pathogenesis in COVID-19. There were no indications for drug replacement and correction of anticoagulant therapy regimens in patients who received adequate therapy with oral anticoagulants for treating a non-severe form of coronavirus infection in ambulatory patient settings.

Clinical Trial of High-Dose Pegylated-Interferon-Alfa-2b Combined With Phototherapy in Advanced Stage Mycosis Fungoides.

The combination of Interferon-α-2b (IFN-α-2b) and phototherapy is highly effective in treating mycosis fungoides (MF) but side effects often lead to discontinuation of therapy.1.

JAK inhibition reduces SARS-CoV-2 liver infectivity and modulates inflammatory responses to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Using AI, we identified baricitinib as having antiviral and anticytokine efficacy. We now show a 71% (95% CI 0.15 to 0.58) mortality benefit in 83 patients with moderate-severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia with few drug-induced adverse events, including a large elderly cohort (median age, 81 years). An additional 48 cases with mild-moderate pneumonia recovered uneventfully. Using organotypic 3D cultures of primary human liver cells, we demonstrate that interferon-α2 increases ACE2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in parenchymal cells by greater than fivefold. RNA-seq reveals gene response signatures associated with platelet activation, fully inhibited by baricitinib. Using viral load quantifications and superresolution microscopy, we found that baricitinib exerts activity rapidly through the inhibition of host proteins (numb-associated kinases), uniquely among antivirals. This reveals mechanistic actions of a Janus kinase-1/2 inhibitor targeting viral entry, replication, and the cytokine storm and is associated with beneficial outcomes including in severely ill elderly patients, data that incentivize further randomized controlled trials.

Association of the Sialylation of Antibodies Specific to the HCV E2 Envelope Glycoprotein with Hepatic Fibrosis Progression and Antiviral Therapy Efficacy.

The E2 envelope glycoprotein of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major target of broadly neutralizing antibodies that are closely related to a spontaneous cure of HCV infection. There is still no data about the diversity of E2-specific antibodies (Abs) glycosylation. The aim of this study was to analyze the level and sialylation of E2 IgG Abs, the relation of the respective changes to hepatic fibrosis (F) progression and their possible association with the efficacy of interferon-α-2a plus ribavirin (IFN-RBV) antiviral therapy. One hundred three HCV infected treatment-naive patients were examined using ELISA with E2 recombinant protein as antigen and sialic acid-specific Sambucus nigra agglutinin. The efficacy of the IFN-RBV treatment of patients with HCV dominant 1b and 3a genotypes (GT) was evaluated. A significant decrease of E2 Abs sialylation in the late stages of fibrosis was found irrespective of HCV genotype. On this basis, the F4 stage of fibrosis can be discriminated from its F0 or F1-3 stage by an about 75-79% accuracy. HCV infection of 1b genotype is associated with the production of lower sialylated E2 Abs, a higher frequency of F4 stage fibrosis, and a worse response to antiviral therapy. The increased SNA reactivity of E2 Abs was observed in patients with a sustained virological response (SVR). The proportion of SVR responders was significantly higher among patients with 3a genotype. However, for both dominant HCV genotypes (3a and 1b), an increased sialylation of E2 IgG was associated with a higher rate of patients with sustained virological response to antiviral therapy. Thus, the association of alterations of anti-E2 IgG Abs sialylation with hepatic fibrosis stage, HCV genotype, and the efficacy of antiviral therapy enables using these changes as novel noninvasive predictive biomarkers. The clinical potential of these findings is discussed.

Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study Shows Early Interferon Therapy Is Associated with Favorable Clinical Responses in COVID-19 Patients.

Interferons (IFNs) are widely used in treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, a recent report of ACE2, the host factor mediating SARS-Cov-2 infection, identifying it as interferon-stimulated raised considerable safety concern. To examine the association between the use and timing of IFN-α2b and clinical outcomes, we analyzed in a retrospective multicenter cohort study of 446 COVID-19 patients in Hubei, China. Regression models estimated that early administration (≤5 days after admission) of IFN-α2b was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality in comparison with no admission of IFN-α2b, whereas late administration of IFN-α2b was associated with increased mortality. Among survivors, early IFN-α2b was not associated with hospital discharge or computed tomography (CT) scan improvement, whereas late IFN-α2b was associated with delayed recovery. Additionally, early IFN-α2b and umifenovir alone or together were associated with reduced mortality and accelerated recovery in comparison with treatment with lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) alone. We concluded that administration of IFN-α2b during the early stage of COVID-19 could induce favorable clinical responses.

Informe diário de evidências COVID-19: busca realizada em 29 de julho de 2020 / COVID-19 daily evidence report: search conducted on July 29, 2020

O Informe Diário de Evidências é uma produção do Ministério da Saúde que tem como objetivo acompanhar diariamente as publicações científicas sobre tratamento farmacológico e vacinas para a COVID-19. Dessa forma, são realizadas buscas estruturadas em bases de dados biomédicas, referentes ao dia anterior desse informe. Não são incluídos estudos pré-clínicos (in vitro, in vivo, in silico). A frequência dos estudos é demonstrada de acordo com a sua classificação metodológica (revisões sistemáticas, ensaios clínicos randomizados, coortes, entre outros). Para cada estudo é apresentado um resumo com avaliação da qualidade metodológica. Essa avaliação tem por finalidade identificar o grau de certeza/confiança ou o risco de viés de cada estudo. Para tal, são utilizadas ferramentas já validadas e consagradas na literatura científica, na área de saúde baseada em evidências. Cabe ressaltar que o documento tem caráter informativo e não representa uma recomendação oficial do Ministério da Saúde sobre a temática. Foram encontrados 16 artigos e 3 protocolos.

Withdrawing mycophenolate mofetil in treating a young kidney transplant recipient with COVID-19: A case report.

RATIONALE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious disease and became a global issue. Treatment of COVID-19 especially in solid organ transplant recipients is empirical and controversial, especially the adjustment of the immunosuppressants. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 29-year-old kidney transplant recipient with the symptoms of COVID-19 pneumonia. DIAGNOSES: COVID-19 pneumonia after kidney transplantation. INTERVENTIONS: He was treated with modified immunosuppressants (unchanged dose of tacrolimus and oral corticosteroids while discontinuing mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)), antibiotics, interferon α-2b inhalation and traditional Chinese medicine. OUTCOMES: He recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia after 29 days of hospitalization. And the renal function (measured as blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and urine protein) returned to normal. LESSONS: In certain group of COVID-19 (e.g., mild to moderate cases, young patients without comorbidities), a reduction instead of an overall withdrawal of immunosuppressant in kidney transplant recipients is feasible.

Informe diário de evidências COVID-19: busca realizada em 17 de junho de 2020 / COVID-19 daily evidence report: search conducted on June 17, 2020

O Informe Diário de Evidências é uma produção do Ministério da Saúde que tem como objetivo acompanhar diariamente as publicações científicas sobre tratamento farmacológico e vacinas para a COVID-19. Dessa forma, são realizadas buscas estruturadas em bases de dados biomédicas, referente ao dia anterior desse informe. Não são incluídos estudos pré-clínicos (in vitro, in vivo, in silico). A frequência dos estudos é demonstrada de acordo com a sua classificação metodológica (revisões sistemáticas, ensaios clínicos randomizados, coortes, entre outros). Para cada estudo é apresentado um resumo com avaliação da qualidade metodológica. Essa avaliação tem por finalidade identificar o grau de certeza/confiança ou o risco de viés de cada estudo. Para tal, são utilizadas ferramentas já validadas e consagradas na literatura científica, na área de saúde baseada em evidências. Cabe ressaltar que o documento tem caráter informativo e não representa uma recomendação oficial do Ministério da Saúde sobre a temática. Foram encontrados 15 artigos.

A report of clinical diagnosis and treatment of nine cases of coronavirus disease 2019.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has become an important public health issue in the world. More than 118 000 cases were confirmed around the world. The main clinical manifestations were respiratory symptoms and occasional gastrointestinal symptoms. However, there is no unified standard for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. In the retrospective analysis, we report nine cases of COVID-19, describe the history of contact, clinical manifestations, the course of diagnosis and clinical treatment before, during and after treatment.

Uso de interferon para el tratamiento de pacientes con COVID-19 / Use of interferon for the treatment of patients with COVID-19

INTRODUCCIÓN: Al momento se tienen propuestas de tratamiento para el COVID-19, en las que se incluye el uso de interferón (Lu 2020; Li and De Clercq 2020). Dentro del espectro de los medicamentos catalogados como interferón (IFN) tenemos IFN alfa o IFN alfa pegilado, IFN alfa 2a, IFN alfa 2b, IFN beta, IFN beta 1a, IFN beta 1b, e IFN gamma (Friedman 2008). De manera anecdótica, ante los brotes de MERS y SARS producidos en años previos, se investigó el uso de IFN como medida terapéutica (Sainz et al. 2004; Scagnolari et al. 2004). Sin embargo, dichos estudios corresponden a estudios in-vitro. En el estudio in vitro de Sainz y col. 2004 (Sainz et al. 2004), se encontró que sinérgicamente IFN beta e IFN gamma inhiben el crecimiento de los cultivos en placa del SARS-CoV, virus que causó el brote del 2003 en China; en el estudio in vitro de Scagnolari y col. 2005 (Scagnolari et al. 2004), se encontró que los IFN presentaban capacidad para inhibir el crecimiento en placa del SARS-CoV (principalmente de IFN beta e IFN gamma). Por otra parte, en una revisión sistemáticade Morra y col 2018 (Morra et al. 2018), donde se estudió el uso de IFN para el tratamiento de MERS-CoV, responsable del brote en Arabia Saudita en el 2012, en sus diferentes presentaciones (incluyendo IFN alfa-2a, IFN alfa-2b, e IFN beta-1a) en combinación con ribavirina, se encontró que no hubo diferencias significativas en desenlaces clínicos cuando se le comparó con otra terapia de soporte. Se observó que se suele utilizar IFN (IFN alfa-2a, IFN alfa-2b, e IFN beta1a) en combinación con ribavirina. En otro estudio tipo revisión sistemática de Momattin y col. 2019 (Momattin, Al-Ali, and Al-Tawfiq 2019), encontraron que no existe consenso para el tratamiento de MERS-CoV pues los estudios fueron heterogéneos y los resultados no concluyentes. En dicho estudio se utilizó IFN 1b en combinación con ribavirina. Debemos resaltar que existe una escasez de evidencia respecto al uso de interferón en COVID19, y la mayoría de la evidencia proviene de estudios in-vitro. GUÍAS DE PRÁCTICA CLÍNICA: La Guía de Medicina Integrativa de China Oriental para el manejo del nuevo coronavirus 2019, provee de información clínica y epidemiológica sobre el COVID 19. Dentro de las alternativas terapéuticas que se encuentran en investigación, menciona al interferón y la evidencia que proviene de estudios de ciencias básicas que encontraron que este medicamento puede frenar la replicación in-vitro del SARS-CoV (Sainz y col. 2004) (Scagnolari y col. 2005). El estudio de Sainz y col. del 2014 encontró que sinérgicamente IFN beta e IFN gamma inhiben el crecimiento de los cultivos en placa del SARS-CoV. El estudio de Scagnolari y col. del 2005, encontró que los IFN presentaban capacidad para inhibir el crecimiento en placa del SARS-CoV (principalmente de IFN beta e IFN gamma). La GPC no presenta recomendaciones respecto al uso de IFN (en ninguna presentación), solo indica que se encuentra en etapa experimental para el uso de pacientes con COVID-19. ESTUDIO SERIE DE CASOS: Lo que se presenta aqui es la experiencia de manejo de pacientes, quienes recibieron múltiples esquemas de tratamiento incluido el IFN. Por tanto, no podemos concluir que los resultados encontrados se deben al uso de IFN. Además, la metodología de una serie de casos no es la ideal para establecer que los pacientes mejoraron por el uso de IFN. Es necesario realizar ensayos clínicos para determinar como influye el IFN en el manejo clínico de pacientes con COVID19. ENSAYOS CLÍNICOS EN CURSO O NO PUBLICADOS REGISTRADOS EN CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: Ensayo clínico no publicado, en fase de reclutamiento de pacientes. NCT04254874 Abidol hydrochloride vs Abidol Hydrochloride combinado con atomización de Interferon PegIFN-α-2b, fase 4, en pacientes con neumonía viral COVID19. Patrocinador Tongji Hospital. A ser realizado en Wuhan, Hubei, China. Fecha estimada de término de estudio: 1ero de julio del 2020. Ensayo clínico no publicado, aún no inicia fase de reclutamiento de pacientes NCT04293887. Uso de interferón alfa-1b en pacientes con infección por COVID19, fase 1, patrocinador Tongji Hospital. Fecha estimada de término de estudio: 30 de junio del 2020. Ensayo clínico no publicado, aún no inicia reclutamiento de pacientes. NCT04275388. Inyección de Xiyanping vs Lopinavir / ritonavir, nebulización de interferon alfa, no aplica fase, en pacientes con neumonía viral COVID19. Patrocinador Jiangxi Qingfeng Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Fecha estimada de término de estudio: 14 de diciembre del 2021. Ensayo clínico no publicado, en fase de reclutamiento de pacientes NCT04276688. Lopinavir/ritonavir, ribavirina e interferón beta-1b, fase 2, patrocinador The University of Hong Kong. Fecha estimada de término de estudio: 31 de julio del 2022. EXPERIENCIA RECOGIDA DE HOSPITALES EN EL MUNDO: Debido a que la enfermedad por COVID19 inició en diciembre del 2019, algunos hospitales han recomendado el uso de IFN bajo las siguientes modalidades: España (Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria al 18 de marzo 2020): (Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria 2020). Se utiliza hasta que caiga la fiebre y no más de 14 días: Estados Unidos (Guía de manejo de COVID19 del Massachusetts Medical Hospital al 17 de marzo 2020): (Massachusetts General Hospital 2020). CONCLUSIONES: A la fecha, 24 de marzo del 2020, aun no se encuentran ensayos clínicos publicados con resultados de eficacia y seguridad respecto al uso del IFN en pacientes con COVID19, infectadas con el virus SARS-CoV-2. Como hecho anecdótico se toma la experiencia de uso de IFN en infecciones causadas por los virus SARS-CoV y MERS-CoV en años previos, los cuales comparten parte importante de su componente genético con el SARS-CoV-2. Encontramos resultados en estudios in-vitro donde el IFN mostró cierta capacidad de inhibir el crecimiento de los virus mencionados. Las recomendaciones de la GPC de Chan y col. (2020), se basa en estudios invitro realizados en el 2004 (Sainz et al. 2004; Scagnolari et al. 2004). La guía de Chan y col. (2020) indica que el uso de IFN en cualquiera de sus presentaciones no se encuentra recomendado para pacientes con infección por COVID-19 y su uso solo es experimental. Por otro lado, la GPC de National Health Commission & Stare Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine recomienda incluir el uso de IFN-alfa pero no menciona la Encontramos una serie de casos en China (Wan et al. 2020) con 135 pacientes con COVID19 a quienes se le administró IFN más lopinavir/ritonavir, en combinación con antibióticos y corticoides. Alrededor del mes de seguimiento, 11.1% (n=15) de pacientes fueron dados de alta, la tasa de mortalidad a los 28 días de seguimiento fue de 2.5%. Este estudio constituye un primer aporte a la literatura científica sobre el manejo de pacientes con COVID19. Debido a que todos los pacientes del estudio recibieron IFN en combinación con lopinavir/ritonavir, no se puede discriminar si el efecto del IFN es favorable o no para pacientes con COVID19. Es necesario realizar ensayos clínicos para determinar cómo influye el IFN en el manejo clínico de pacientes con COVID19. fuente de donde se obtiene la evidencia para recomendar el uso de IFN. Encontramos que se están llevando a cabo varios ensayos clínicos (EC) respecto al uso de IFN para pacientes con COVID19. Los ensayos clínicos más próximos para finalizar son en julio del 2020. La intervención de interés en la experiencia en hospitales (Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria 2020) (Massachusetts General Hospital 2020), por lo general, es dual. Es decir, combina la acción de un tipo de IFN junto a otro antiviral, que por lo general es ribavirina. Otros tipos de antivirales con los cuales se combina al IFN son los esteroides, lopinavir/ritonavir, o micofenolato mofetil. Encontramos guías de sociedades/hospitales internacionales donde actualmente tienen picos muy altos de pacientes con COVID19. Dichas guías incluyen en su algoritmo terapéutico al IFN en diferentes formas (IFN alfa-2b nebulizada e IFN beta-1b inyectable). Sin embargo, no existe ningún ensayo clínico a la fecha que respalde su uso, salvo la experiencia de manejo de pacientes en China. Por ello, son necesarios los resultados de los ensayos clínicos en curso. Por lo expuesto, al momento, no se encuentra que IFN en ninguna de sus presentaciones (IFN alfa o IFN alfa pegilado, IFN alfa 2a, IFN alfa 2b, IFN beta, IFN beta 1a, IFN beta 1b, o IFN gamma), tenga evidencia clínica que respalde una recomendación a favor como una alternativa de tratamiento para pacientes con COVID19. Se necesita de los resultados de los EC que se están realizando para conocer tanto su eficacia como su seguridad en pacientes con COVID19.

Vitamin K2 supplementation blocks the beneficial effects of IFN-α-2b administered on the early stages of liver cancer development in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin K2, which is present in dairy products and has been recommended as a micronutrient supplement in humans, contains anticancer properties. Interferon (IFN)-α-2b administered during development of hepatic preneoplasia decreased both number and volume percentage of altered hepatic foci (AHF) by increasing apoptosis in the foci. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IFN-α-2b treatment supplemented with vitamin K2 in the early stages of liver cancer development in rats. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to a two-phase model of hepatocarcinogenesis (initiated-promoted [IP] group). Animals were divided into four groups: untreated (IP), IP treated with IFN-α-2b (6.5 × 105 U/kg), IP treated with vitamin K2 (10 mg/kg), and IP treated with both compounds. RESULTS: The study results demonstrated that vitamin K2 blocked IFN-α-2b-induced reduction in size and volume of the altered hepatic foci and inhibited IFN-α-2b-induced apoptosis. Its inhibition of IFN-α-2b-induced apoptosis was mediated by increased levels of total hepatic Bcl-2 in rat preneoplastic livers. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that supportive vitamin supplements or therapies are not always safe because they could put the life of patients treated with IFN-α-2b at risk.

HeberFERON, a new formulation of IFNs with improved pharmacodynamics: Perspective for cancer treatment.

The rational combination of recombinant IFN-α2b and IFN-γ resulted in a new formulation of interferons (HeberFERON) with improved pharmacodynamics. In basal cell carcinomas HeberFERON produces a more rapid antitumor effect and results in a larger number of complete responses. In patients with glioblastoma multiforme, the administration of HeberFERON after surgery and radiotherapy results in an estimated overall survival of 19 months. Patients with stage III or IV renal cell carcinoma also appear to benefit from the intravenous administration of HeberFERON, with prolongation of survival and good quality of live. HeberFERON offers a promising alternative formulation of interferons for the treatment of cancer with a very favorable safety profile.