Jusvinza, an anti-inflammatory drug derived from the human heat-shock protein 60, for critically ill COVID-19 patients. An observational study

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an observational and retrospective study on the therapeutic effects of Jusvinza, an immunomodulatory peptide with anti-inflammatory properties for critically ill COVID-19 patients. This peptide induces regulatory mechanisms on the immune response in experimental systems and in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Exploratory research in COVID-19 patients revealed that Jusvinza promotes clinical and radiological improvement. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical outcome and variations of several inflammatory biomarkers in a cohort of critically ill COVID-19 patients, divided into two groups during the observational research: one group received Jusvinza and the other did not. Research physicians extracted the patients´ data from their hospital’s clinical records. The study analyzed 345 medical records, and 249 records from critically ill patients were included. The data covered the demographic characteristics, vital signs, ventilatory parameters and inflammatory biomarkers. Survival outcome was significantly higher in the group receiving Jusvinza (90.4%) compared to the group without Jusvinza (39.5%). Furthermore, in patients treated with Jusvinza there was a significant improvement in ventilatory parameters and a reduction in inflammation and coagulation biomarkers. Our findings show that Jusvinza could control the extent of inflammation in COVID-19 patients. This study indicates that Jusvinza is a helpful drug for the treatment of diseases characterized by hyperinflammation.

Synergistic Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Apolipoprotein A-I and CIGB-258 in Reconstituted High-Density Lipoproteins (rHDL) against Acute Toxicity of Carboxymethyllysine in Zebrafish and Its Embryo

“…In fact, this peptide exerted a potent therapeutic effect in experimental models of RA [ 39 , 40 ], and this effect was corroborated in clinical investigations in patients with RA by subcutaneous administration [ 41 , 42 , 43 ]. In addition, the effect of CIGB-258 in acute infectious diseases, especially in suppressing the cytokine cascade and controlling neutrophil activation, was demonstrated in hyperinflammatory COVID-19 patients [ 44 ].…”

A randomized controlled trial of teprenone in terms of preventing worsening of COVID-19 infection

“…In a retrospective analysis, the survival rate was significantly higher in severe COVID-19 patients who received, as compared to those who did not receive, Jusvinza, a derivative of HSP60, (90.4 vs. 39.5%, p < 0.0001). Also, inflammation and coagulation biomarkers were significantly reduced in the Jusyinza group [ 16 ]. This implies that HSPs regulate inflammation in COVID-19 patients, thus improving their outcomes [ 5 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…Finally, teprenone may have no activity against COVID-19. There have been some reports of the efficacy of HSPs against COVID-19 [6,16], but other findings indicate a pro-viral effect [20][21][22]. To determine the role of HSPs in COVID-19 infection, further research is needed.…”