Teaching Old Drugs New Tricks: Statins for COVID-19?

Cell Metab. 2020 Aug 4;32(2):145-147. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.07.006.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven unprecedented efforts to identify existing treatments that can be quickly and effectively repurposed to reduce morbidity and mortality. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Zhang et al. (2020) report an association between statin use and improved outcomes in a large observational study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Given the widespread availability, low cost, and safety of statins, this promising result should be further investigated in randomized controlled trials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus / drug effects*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Drug Repositioning / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors