All available clinical data on anakinra in COVID-19: an updated
comprehensive review
Abstract
Background: Based on the investigations, cytokine-release syndrome (CRS)
play a key role in the development of acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS) following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Anakinra can be
effective in the management of CRS by inhibiting IL-1 from binding to
the interleukin-1 receptors. We aimed to review the current clinical
evidence regarding the therapeutic effects of anakinra in the management
of ARDS in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods: PubMed and google scholar databases were searched and all of
the case reports, case series and RCTs were reviewed. Also, we searched
www.clinicaltrial.gov database for ongoing clinical trials of anakinra.
Results: Overall, 31 articles were found, and included 9 case report, 6
case-series and 11 RCTs. One of the reports of RCTs was not peer
reviewed. Also, ten ongoing studies were found in the clinicaltrial.gov
database searching. Conclusion: Four items have been shown to be
important to achieve the optimal therapeutic effect of anakinra in
patients withCOVID-19. These items include duration of treatment ≥ 10
days, doses of more than 100 mg, intravenous administration and early
initiation of therapy. Also, the use of corticosteroids in combination
with anakinra appears to improve clinical outcome compared to
monotherapy with anakinra.