Immunotherapies and COVID-19 related Neurological manifestations: A Comprehensive Review Article

J Immunoassay Immunochem. 2020 Nov 1;41(6):960-975. doi: 10.1080/15321819.2020.1865400. Epub 2021 Jan 3.

Abstract

In December 2019, an outbreak of pandemic severe respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) initially occurred in China, has spread the world resulted in serious threats to human public health. Uncommon neurological manifestations with pathophysiological symptoms were observed in infected patients including headache, seizures, and neuroimmunological disorders. Regardless of whether these neurological symptoms are direct or indirect casual infection relationship, this novel viral infection has a relevant impact on the neuroimmune system that requires a neurologist's careful assessment. Recently, the use of immunotherapy has been emerged in fighting against COVID-19 infection despite the uncertain efficiency in managing COVID-19 related disorders or even its proven failure by increasing its severity. Herein, the author is addressing the first approaches in using immunotherapies in controlling COVID-19 viral impact on the brain by highlighting their role in decreasing or increasing infection risks among subjects. This point of view review article supports the use of immunotherapies in managing COVID-19 neurological disorders but in optimal timing and duration to ensure the maximum therapeutic outcome by reducing morbidity and mortality rate. Based on recently published data, the current review article highlights the beneficial effects and drawbacks of using immunotherapies to combat COVID-19 and its neurological symptoms.

Keywords: COVID-19; cytokines storm; immunotherapies; inflammation; neurological disorders; vaccines.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / pathology
  • COVID-19 / complications
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 / therapy*
  • Cladribine / therapeutic use
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / therapy
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / virology*
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Headache / virology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Interferon-beta / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Nervous System Diseases / immunology*
  • Nervous System Diseases / therapy*
  • Nervous System Diseases / virology
  • Pandemics

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Glucocorticoids
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Interleukin-6
  • Cladribine
  • Interferon-beta