COVID-19 Pandemic: Advances in Diagnosis, Treatment, Organoid Applications and Impacts on Cancer Patient Management

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally and rapidly developed into a worldwide pandemic. The sudden outburst and rapid dissemination of SARS-CoV-2, with overwhelming public health and economic burdens, highlight an urgent need to develop effective strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of infected patients. In this review, we focus on the current advances in the diagnostics and treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Notably, we also summarize some antineoplastic drugs repurposed for COVID-19 treatment and address the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for oncologists to manage cancer patients in this COVID-19 era. In addition, we emphasize the importance of organoid technology as a valuable experimental virology platform to better understand the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and assist rapid screening of drugs against COVID-19.

Organoids to Remodel SARS-CoV-2 Research: Updates, Limitations and Perspectives

“…However, in another study, opposing results indicated that IFN upregulated the expression of ACE2 and thus promoted SARS-CoV-2 infection. We speculated that IFN might play a two-tier role in the infection of lungs by SARS-CoV-2 [ 126 ]. DPP-4 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that might also act as a potent receptor of SARS-CoV-2.…”

“…The antibody blocked the binding of the spike protein to ACE2 receptors on host cells, whereas the peptide inhibited viral binding to the DPP-4 receptor [ 127 ]. A number of antineoplastic drugs were evaluated by Ye and his colleagues, who indicated that bevacizumab, thalidomide, and imatinib might alleviate symptoms in patients with severe COVID-19 [ 126 ]. Remdesivir was also considered to be more efficient than a placebo for the treatment of hospitalised patients with COVID-19; it prevented the progression of respiratory disease, leading to faster recovery [ 128 ].…”

Co-Infection Associated with SARS-CoV-2 and Their Management

“…The clinical characteristics of COVID-19 that were identified in cancer patients, as well as the possible influence of cancer and anticancer intervention on patients' immune responses to SARS-CoV-2. Viral infections are more likely to impact cancer patients, and care should be made to cure them, along with the physiological interrelationship between two illnesses and practical recommendations for the delivery of anticancer drugs in infected patients with coronavirus [ 197 ]. Cancer patients are at a greater risk for COVID-19 and consequences such as hospitalization, critical care, and mortality, compared with the general population, due to metabolic problems such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as systemic immunosuppression.…”

“…Patients with COVID-19 lung cancer may have critical anoxia and develop more quickly because of poor baseline lung function and tolerance [ 205 ]. Tocilizumab, a genetically engineered monoclonal antibody that works as an anti-IL-6-receptor inhibitor, is used to cure COVID-19 individuals with cytokine release syndrome because it lowers COVID-19 morbidity and death, even in cancer patients [ 197 , 206 ].…”

“…The use of these medicines in hematologic cancer patients with HSC grafts must be balanced in contrast to the greater danger of post-graft imbalance in immunosuppressive therapy, which will result in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) [ 201 ]. Imatinib, an oral anticancer drug also inhibits viral replication in the host cell by binding that drug molecule with RBD of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein [ 197 ] is widely used to control a variety of solid tumors and renal cell carcinoma, and it is currently being utilized to treat severe or acute COVID-19 pneumonia patients [ 197 ]. However, it is important to mention that SARS-CoV-2 transmission has been linked to two instances of full recovery of conventional Hodgkin lymphoma and follicular lymphoma [ 61 , 209 , 210 ].…”