Abstract
The outburst of inflammatory response and hypercoagulability are among the factors contributing to increased mortality in severe COVID-19 cases. Pentoxifylline (PTX), a xanthine-derived drug registered for the treatment of vascular claudication, has been reported to display broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties via adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR)-related mechanisms, in parallel to its rheological actions. Prior studies have indicated the efficacy of PTX in the treatment of various pulmonary diseases, including the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome of infectious causes. Therefore, PTX has been proposed to have potential benefits in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, as well as its complications. The aim of this review is to discuss available knowledge regarding the role of PTX as a complementary therapeutic in SARS-CoV-2.
Highlights
The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Wuhan, China, at the turn of 2019 and 2020 has spread across the globe, resulting in a worldwide pandemic
Ill patients present with deterioration in respiratory function, development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and suffer from coagulopathy, all of which contribute to increased mortality
tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) secretion in vitro has been confirmed through a randomized controlled study of group was characterized by improvements in both mean survival time and the clinical advanced cancer patients diagnosed with ARDS [16]
Summary
The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Wuhan, China, at the turn of 2019 and 2020 has spread across the globe, resulting in a worldwide pandemic. Except for tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody against IL-6 receptors that has been proven to reduce disease progression and lower the rates of hospitalized patients in need of mechanical ventilation [3], no other therapeutic approaches have far been introduced for countering the cytokine storm syndrome associated with COVID-19 in common clinical practice. In parallel to its rheological actions, PTX has been documented to display anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, as well as some antithrombotic and antiviral effects. These pluripotent properties could be of great value in the context of the management of SARS-CoV-2 and its complications
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