Tag Archives: COVID-19

The Landscape of Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies (nAbs) for Treatment and Prevention of COVID-19

Research evaluation, S&T lit, , , ,

Abstract: After nearly 3 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, even though a vast body of knowledge and products (including vaccines and treatments) have been developed and disseminated, the virus is still evolving and new variants arising. Consequently, thousands of lives continue to be lost. Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (nAbs) are promising drugs that emerged to treat SARS-CoV-2. In the uncertainty of the current situation, there is the question of whether organizations should continue to invest in this technology. To help decision-making in scientifical and pharmaceutical organizations, it is of major importance to monitor the development of products and technologies. Therefore, the aim of this study is analyze the landscape of nAbs for COVID-19.

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Author(s): Aline de Almeida Oliveira, Diana Praia Borges Freire, Ana Rodrigues de Andrade, Amanda de Miranda Marques, Luciana da Silva Madeira, José Procópio Moreno Senna, Ivna Alana Freitas Brasileiro da Silveira, Beatriz de Castro Fialho

Organization(s): Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz

Source: Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation

Year: 2023

Modifiable Contributing Factors to COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review

Research evaluation, S&T lit, , , , ,

Abstract: The devastating complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) result from an individual’s dysfunctional immune response following the initial severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Multiple toxic stressors and behaviors contribute to underlying immune system dysfunction. SARS-CoV-2 exploits the dysfunctional immune system to trigger a chain of events ultimately leading to COVID-19.
The current study identifies eighty immune system dysfunction-enabling toxic stressors and behaviors (hereafter called modifiable contributing factors (CFs)) that also link directly to COVID-19. Each CF is assigned to one of the five categories in the CF taxonomy shown in Section 3.3.: Lifestyle (e.g., diet, substance abuse); Iatrogenic (e.g., drugs, surgery); Biotoxins (e.g., micro-organisms, mycotoxins); Occupational/Environmental (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides); Psychosocial/Socioeconomic (e.g., chronic stress, lower education).
The current study shows how each modifiable factor contributes to decreased immune system capability, increased inflammation and coagulation, and increased neural damage and neurodegeneration. It is unclear how real progress can be made in combatting COVID-19 and other similar diseases caused by viral variants without addressing and eliminating these modifiable CFs.

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Author(s): Ronald Neil Kostoff, Michael Brandon Briggs, Darja Kanduc, Saikat Dewanjee, Ramesh Kandimalla, Yehuda Shoenfeld, Alan L. Porter, Aristidis Tsatsakis

Organization(s):  Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa)

Source: Food and Chemical Toxicology

Year: 2023