London: In what will be a relief and welcome news for those hospitalised with COVID-19 pneumonia, a drug has been identified that can be potentially used to treat such patients, according to a study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal.
‘Namilumab’ was tested by researchers from Birmingham University and University of Oxford in patients who had to be hospitalised to treat COVID-19 pneumonia.
“Our research has provided important proof-of-concept evidence that namilumab reduces inflammation in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 pneumonia,” said Ben Fisher, co-chief investigator of the trial at Birmingham University and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB).
He added that further studies are required as the sample size is too small for a definitive assessment of clinical outcomes.
The trial involved 54 COVID-19 pneumonia patients who were receiving ‘usual’ treatment in a ward or ICU at nine hospitals in the UK with steroids and oxygen or ventilation, and 57 patients who were given usual care and also a single intravenous dose of 150 mg namilumab.
The researchers found a 97 per cent probability of CRP level being reduced over time in patients who were given namilumab compared to those under usual care only.
On monitoring the patients over 28 days, the study revealed fewer deaths and more discharges from hospital or ICU in those who had been given namilumab compared to those receiving usual care alone.
By the 28th day, 78 per cent of patients receiving namilumab were discharged from hospital, compared to 61 per cent given usual care.
Of those given namilumab, 11 per cent patients died while 19 per cent passed away among usual care group.
Namilumab is an antibody in late-stage trials to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers felt namilumab should now be prioritised for further COVID-19 research in a larger phase 3 clinical trial.
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