Clinical pharmacology aspects in patients treated with TNF inhibitors
during SARS-Cov-2 pandemic
Abstract
In this period of global pandemic caused by SARS-Cov-2, it is of
paramount importance to recognize all risk factors that may increase the
likelihood of infection. In addition to the risk factors known as
pre-existing diseases and old age, risk factors could be drug treatments
for chronic diseases, such as immunomodulating drugs that can alter
immune defences and response to infectious agents. Antibodies that
inhibit tumor necrosis factor (TNF) such as adalimumab infliximab
etanercept and golimumab have been used for over 20 years in severe
cases of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory
bowel disease or ankylosing spondylitis. Due to their mechanism of
action they reduce inflammation and can stop the progression of the
disease by inhibiting a key factor of inflammation such as Tumor
Necrosis Factor (TNF). In this article we want to examine the possible
correlation between therapy with TNF inhibitors and the increased risk
of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the possible paradoxical therapeutic
efficacy in patients with ongoing infection, especially in phase two and
three. We express our opinion on this very complex and sensitive topic
which is the subject of discussion among physicians and experts, based
on current knowledge of the literature. Keywords: TNF inhibitors,
SARS-Cov-2, immunomodulating, infection, hyperinflammatory