Beth, I’m very pleased that we have an evidence based reason to treat patients in severe condition in ICU with steroids......but wouldn’t this treatment be part of the standard of care for someone going through a cytokine storm anyway? It certainly would for severe sepsis/septic shock. Did the Recovery trial test something new/different in terms of timing or dose?
You are right...and there was nothing "special" as far as I know about the regime under the RECOVERY trial. But you know how clinical trials work, compare and contrast strictly under very defined conditions.
But yes, steroids are given for all forms of cytokine storms (sepsis, peritonitis) but there is now a clear rationale for using it....but not for hydroxychloroquine. That arm has now been ceased, as full numbers have been recruited, and without much effect. It is a shame that science disgraced itself by writing and publishing a semifictious account sponsored by Surgisphere Corporation, Chicago previous claiming it didn't work.
There are still 4 arms of the RECOVERY trial on going ...the anti-viral arm, an antiinflammatory monoclonal s and the recovery antiserum arm, that was a late add on
- Lopinavir-Ritonavir antiviral, commonly used to treat HIV
- Low-dose Dexamethasone (a type of steroid, which is used in a range of conditions typically to reduce inflammation)COMPLETED
- Hydroxychloroquine (related to an anti-malarial drug) COMPLETED
- Azithromycin (a commonly used antibiotic)
- Tocilizumab(an anti-inflammatory treatment given by injection) which is humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor used in RA
- Recovery antisera