Could imiquimod (Aldara 5% cream) or other TLR7 agonists be used in the treatment of COVID-19?

Huseyin Avcilar; Ahmet Eken

doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110202

Could imiquimod (Aldara 5% cream) or other TLR7 agonists be used in the treatment of COVID-19?

Med Hypotheses. 2020 Nov:144:110202. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110202. Epub 2020 Aug 18.

Authors

Huseyin Avcilar¹, Ahmet Eken²

Affiliations

¹ Erciyes University, Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address: havcilar13@gmail.com.
² Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Kayseri, Turkey; Erciyes University, Medical Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address: ahmet.eken@gmail.com.

Abstract

Toll-like receptor 7 is critical in recognition of single strand RNA viruses, including SARS CoV-2, and generation of anti-viral immunity. Coronaviruses evolved strategies to dampen the host immunity. Herein, we discuss the potential use of TLR7 agonists in the early stages of COVID-19 treatment.

Keywords: COVID-19; Imiquimod; SARS CoV-2; TLR7.

Publication types

Letter

MeSH terms

Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage
Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
COVID-19 / immunology
COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
Humans
Imiquimod / administration & dosage
Imiquimod / therapeutic use*
Immunity, Innate / drug effects
Models, Immunological
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2
Skin Cream
Toll-Like Receptor 7 / agonists*

Substances

Adjuvants, Immunologic
Antiviral Agents
TLR7 protein, human
Toll-Like Receptor 7
Imiquimod