The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has mandated the instant (re)search for potential drug candidates. In response to the unprecedented situation, it was recognized early that repurposing of available drugs in the market could timely save lives, by skipping the lengthy phases of preclinical and initial safety studies. BenevolentAI's large knowledge graph repository of structured medical information suggested baricitinib, a Janus-associated kinase inhibitor, as a potential repurposed medicine with a dual mechanism; hindering SARS-CoV2 entry and combatting the cytokine storm; the leading cause of mortality in COVID-19. However, the recently-published Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial-2 (ACTT-2) positioned baricitinib only in combination with remdesivir for treatment of a specific category of COVID-19 patients, whereas the drug is not recommended to be used alone except in clinical trials. The increased pace of data output in all life sciences fields has changed our understanding of data processing and manipulation. For the purpose of drug design, development, or repurposing, the integration of different disciplines of life sciences is highly recommended to achieve the ultimate benefit of using new technologies to mine BIG data, however, the final say remains to be concluded after the drug is used in clinical practice. This review demonstrates different bioinformatics, chemical, pharmacological, and clinical aspects of baricitinib to highlight the repurposing journey of the drug and evaluates its placement in the current guidelines for COVID-19 treatment.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ph14070680 | DOI Listing |
J Transl Med
January 2025
Department of Hematology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, China.
Background: Immunotherapy is a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19 in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Understanding how immunotherapies lead to severe COVID-19 is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Methods: Human protein microarrays were used to examine the expression of 440 protein molecules in MM patients treated with bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTe) (n = 9), anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (n = 10), and proteasome inhibitor (PI)-based regimens (n = 10).
BMC Pulm Med
January 2025
Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Background: Since 2021, COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on global health and continues to contribute to serious health outcomes. In Taiwan, most research has focused on hospitalized patients or mortality cases, leaving important gaps in understanding the broader effects of the disease and identifying individuals at high risk. This study aims to investigate the risk factors for disease progression through a nationwide population-based cohort study on COVID-19 in Taiwan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Public Health
January 2025
Henan Medical Communication and Project Forward Center, No. 6, Xueli Road, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the social distancing has significantly affected the healthy lifestyle behaviors of residents. China ended social distancing on January 8, 2023, and the healthy lifestyle behaviors of residents after this time are unclear. The goal of this study was to evaluate the differences in healthy lifestyle behaviors between Chinese urban and rural residency after the termination of social distancing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBreast Cancer Res Treat
January 2025
Department of Surgery, Endeavor Health, Evanston, IL, USA.
Purpose: We examined the impact of the COVID-19 consortium recommendations on the surgical management of breast cancer during the first year of the pandemic.
Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed ER + DCIS, ER- DCIS, AJCC Stage cT1-2N0-1 ER + , HER2-, HER2 + , and triple negative breast cancer were identified from the National Cancer Database from 2018 to 2021. An interrupted time series design evaluated differences in surgical delay and use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy/immunotherapy (NAC) and endocrine therapy (NET) before and after the pandemic.
Acta Med Indones
October 2024
Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia - Harapan Kita National Cardiovascular Center, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Increased thrombotic events that occur in up to one-third of patients with COVID-19 are predominantly pulmonary emboli (PE), which are associated with higher severity and increased mortality. Acute PE should therefore be one of the main differential diagnoses among patients with hemodynamic instability. Early treatment of such a condition with systemic thrombolysis remains the first line of treatment especially in patients with COVID-19, which hinders further invasive intervention.
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