Severe pneumonia "Immunity runaway" Can be treated with a drug to suppress new corona April 17 7:23
Regarding the case of pneumonia becoming severe and unable to breathe due to new coronavirus infection, research groups such as the Quantum Science and Technology Research and Development Organization are involved with a substance called "interleukin 6" that enhances the function of immunity and suppresses this function. Announced that there is a possibility of treatment by using drugs.
Approximately 20% of people are infected with the new coronavirus, and it has been reported that some cases will worsen the pneumonia and will not be able to breathe, resulting in death.
A research group such as the former president of Osaka University and Toshio Hirano, director of the Quantum Science and Technology Research Organization, analyzes the mechanism of severe coronary virus infection and publishes a paper in the electronic version of the American scientific magazine "Immunity." did.
According to this, it is thought that the invasion of virus into cells triggers the excessive production of a substance called "interleukin 6" that enhances the immune system, causing the immune system to run out of control and cause severe respiratory failure. is.
He also pointed out that if the function of interleukin 6 is blocked, it may be possible to treat severely ill patients.
Drugs that interfere with the function of interleukin-6 are widely used as therapeutic agents for rheumatoid arthritis, and a pharmaceutical company announced that it will conduct clinical trials in Japan and overseas to confirm whether they are effective in treating patients infected with the new coronavirus. I am.
President Hirano said, “I am looking forward to the clinical trial results because the drug itself has already been put to practical use.”