Latest Research: COVID-19 Therapies

At the start of the pandemic, treatments for COVID-19 were limited, with only supportive care and off-label use available. As data have become available for both evidence-based treatments and randomized controlled trials, health care providers have a more robust slate of tools at their fingertips to treat COVID-19.

In conjunction with the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Idea network, the IDSA Antimicrobial Stewardship Centers for Excellence, and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology, a group of researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago developed a survey¹ (responses n=78) to evaluate the use of a variety of common medications throughout each wave of the pandemic. Across each wave, use of hydroxychloroquine declined by 96% and the use of convalescent plasma declined by 85%, although the decline of the latter was more gradual with each wave. Before data emerged supporting its use, baricitinib was used in 42% of hospitals; after data emerged, there was a 90% increase in the use of baricitinib therapies.

“Overall, our survey shows a gap between evidence and practice,” the researchers concluded. “Communicating evidence-based treatment strategies is a vital priority for major professional societies. Translating evidence into practice remains challenging during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Click through the slideshow for the latest research on current, emerging, and disproven therapies for COVID-19.

Disclosures: Multiple study authors reported industry relationships. Please see the individual study abstracts for additional details.

References

1. Mena Lora AJ, Herald F, Lindsey B, et al. Rise and fall of COVID-19 therapies throughout different waves of the pandemic: Results of a nationwide survey. Presented at: IDWeek 2022; October 19-23, 2022; Washington, D.C. Poster 1109.
2. Gonzalez A, Martinez A, Cardona LL, Hernandez-Jimenez J. Baricitinib versus tocilizumab for hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19 in a community health system: A retrospective cohort. Presented at: IDWeek 2022; October 19-23, 2022; Washington, D.C. Poster 1111.
3. Pellot P, Vyas NM, Hou C, Rosati M. Comparative efficacy of tocilizumab and baricitinib in treatment of severe COVID-19 infections. Presented at: IDWeek 2022; October 19-23, 2022; Washington, D.C. Poster 1116.
4. Brenner S, Knee A, Salvador D, Housman E, Fernandez G, Paez A. COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies: A single center real world experience. Presented at: IDWeek 2022; October 19-23, 2022; Washington, D.C. Poster 1117.
5. Cheng MM, Gibbons DC, Birch H, et al. Real-world effectiveness of sotrovimab for the early treatment of COVID-19 in the US. Presented at: IDWeek 2022; October 19-23, 2022; Washington, D.C. Poster 1145.
6. Yu N, Ssentongo P, Ingram D, Paules CI. Optimal duration of systemic corticosteroids use in COVID-19 treatment: A meta-analysis. Presented at: IDWeek 2022; October 19-23, 2022; Washington, D.C. Poster 1138.
7. Naggie S. Ivermectin for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in the outpatient setting A decentralized, placebo-controlled, randomized, platform clinical trial. Presented at: IDWeek 2022; October 19-23, 2022; Washington, D.C. Poster LB1528C.
8. Boulware DR. Inhaled fluticasone for outpatient treatment of COVID-19: A decentralized, placebo-controlled, randomized, platform clinical trial. Presented at: IDWeek 2022; October 19-23, 2022; Washington, D.C. Poster LB1528B.
9. Ko ER, Anstrom KJ, Lachiewicz A, et al. Administration of abatacept reduces mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID pneumonia. Results of a randomized controlled trial. Presented at: IDWeek 2022; October 19-23, 2022; Washington, D.C. Poster LB1531A.
10. O’Halloran JA, Anstrom KJ, Kedar E, et al. Administration of the TNF-alpha inhibitor, infliximab, reduces mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID pneumonia. Results of a randomized controlled trial. Presented at: IDWeek 2022; October 19-23, 2022; Washington, D.C. Poster LB1531B.