Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33784961›Full record

ArticleCurrent neuropharmacology2022

Drugs Used in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Critical Viewpoint.

Marika Alborghetti, Gianmarco Bellucci, Antonietta Gentile, Chiara Calderoni, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Ruggero Capra, Marco Salvetti, Diego Centonze

Open access · greenAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Current neuropharmacology, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
0.9field-weighted citation impact, top 28% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 6 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Marika AlborghettiDepartments of Neuroscience Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), University Sapienza of Rome,Italy.
Gianmarco BellucciDepartments of Neuroscience Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), University Sapienza of Rome,Italy.
Antonietta GentileSynaptic Immunopathology Lab, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, 00166 Rome,Italy.
Chiara CalderoniPhysiology and Pharmacology, University Sapienza of Rome.
Ferdinando NicolettiPhysiology and Pharmacology, University Sapienza of Rome | IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (Is), 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
Ruggero CapraMultiple Sclerosis Center, ASST Ospedali Civili, Brescia,Italy.
Marco SalvettiDepartments of Neuroscience Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS),University Sapienza of Rome,Italy | IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (Is), 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
Diego CentonzeDepartment of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome,Italy | IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (Is), 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo · ITSapienza University of Rome · ITIstituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico San Raffaele

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Since COVID-19 has emerged as a word public health problem, attention has been focused on how immune-suppressive drugs used for the treatment of autoimmune disorders influence the risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Here, we discuss the disease-modifying agents approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) within this context. Interferon (IFN)-β1a and -1b, which display antiviral activity, could be protective in the early stage of COVID-19 infection, although SARS-CoV-2 may have developed resistance to IFNs. However, in the hyperinflammation stage, IFNs may become detrimental by facilitating macrophage invasion in the lung and other organs. Glatiramer acetate and its analogues should not interfere with the development of COVID-19 and may be considered safe. Teriflunomide, a first-line oral drug used in the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), may display antiviral activity by depleting cellular nucleotides necessary for viral replication. The other first-line drug, dimethyl fumarate, may afford protection against SARS-CoV-2 by activating the Nrf-2 pathway and reinforcing the cellular defenses against oxidative stress. Concern has been raised regarding the use of second-line treatments for MS during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this concern is not always justified. For example, fingolimod might be highly beneficial during the hyperinflammatory stage of COVID-19 for a number of mechanisms, including the reinforcement of the endothelial barrier. Caution is suggested for the use of natalizumab, cladribine, alemtuzumab, and ocrelizumab, although MS disease recurrence after discontinuation of these drugs may overcome a potential risk for COVID-19 infection.

Indexed as

COVID-19Multiple SclerosisPharmaceutical PreparationsHumansPandemicsSARS-CoV-2Pharmaceutical PreparationsCOVID-19 pandemiccytokine stormDisease-modifying therapyimmunomodulationmultiple sclerosisneuroprotectionrisk-benefit ratioSars-Cov-2

Identifiers

PMID33784961
PMCPMC9199540
OpenAlexW3136845163

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.