Research Summary:
Research on HIV is significantly contributing to the understanding of long Covid, with recent studies suggesting that HIV medications, such as Truvada and maraviroc, may help alleviate Long COVID symptoms. Ongoing clinical trials aim to explore their effects on patients, focusing on immunological responses and potential biomarkers for treatment efficacy.
Researchers are looking at whether medications used to treat or prevent HIV may also alleviate Long COVID symptoms. David Putrino, a neuroscientist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, is awaiting regulatory approval to start testing the effects of the drugs Truvada and maraviroc in a mid-stage trial with collaborators at Yale University and the PolyBio Research Foundation
Main Highlights
- Investment in Research: Over $1 billion has been allocated to Long COVID research, yet effective treatments remain elusive, prompting scientists to explore existing HIV medications.
- HIV Research Insights: Decades of studying HIV have equipped researchers with knowledge to investigate the lingering effects of Covid-19, particularly in patients with a history of HIV.
- Wistar Institute Findings: A study from the Wistar Institute revealed that microbial changes in the intestines of HIV patients may increase their risk of developing long Covid after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Clinical Trials: Researchers, including David Putrino, are testing the effects of Truvada and maraviroc on Long COVID patients, with a focus on understanding immunological characteristics that correlate with treatment efficacy. David Putrino is quoted as saying – “Truvada which is normally used to prevent HIV as Pre-exposure prophylaxis, (PrEP)can counter the Epstein Barr Virus (the virus that causes glandular fever or ‘mono’)”. The Epstein-Barr virus is thought to be reactivated after a SARS-CoV-2 infection and maybe one of the causes of some Long COVID symptoms.
- Combination Therapy: Bruce Patterson, past director of Virology at Stanford University, USA, plans to test maraviroc alongside low-dose Lipitor in a larger trial involving 250 long Covid patients. Maraviroc may help to remove any coronavirus persisting in patients thought to be one of the causes of Long COVID symptoms, and according to Bruce Patterson, reduce immune dysregulation that damages the lining of blood vessels leading to blood clots and circulation problems that seem to occur with some people with Long COVID.
- Expected Outcomes: The trials are designed to identify biomarkers and treatment responses, they expect patients who show blood serum signs of viral persistence of SARS-CoV-2 and EBV reactivation to respond best to the trial. Interim results are anticipated within 18 months.
Conclusion
The integration of HIV research into long Covid treatment strategies offers a promising pathway for developing effective therapies. By leveraging existing knowledge and medications, researchers aim to uncover new insights into long Covid, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes and a better understanding of the condition’s underlying mechanisms.
Credible Source:
Credit: “Treatments for Long COVID draw on decades long HIV Research” by Bloomberg, senior editor JASON GALE
