Immunotherapies and immunomodulatory approaches in clinical trials - a mini review

• Main Authors: Mohd. Iqbal Yatoo (Author), Zeenat Hamid (Author), Izhar Rather (Author), Qurat Ul Ain Nazir (Author), Riyaz Ahmed Bhat (Author), Abrar Ul Haq (Author), Suhail Nabi Magray (Author), Zulfqar Haq (Author), Ranjit Sah (Author), Ruchi Tiwari (Author), SenthilKumar Natesan (Author), Muhammad Bilal (Author), Harapan Harapan (Author), Kuldeep Dhama (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group, 2021-07-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2164-5515; 2164-554X; 10.1080/21645515.2020.1871295
• Keywords: sars-cov-2; covid-19; immunotherapies; immunomodulators; Immunologic diseases. Allergy; RC581-607; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, Vol 17, Iss 7, Pp 1897-1909 (2021)

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created havoc worldwide. Due to the non-availability of any vaccine or drugs against COVID-19, immunotherapies involving convalescent plasma, immunoglobulins, antibodies (monoclonal or polyclonal), and the use of immunomodulatory agents to enhance immunity are valuable alternative options. Cell-based therapies including natural killer cells, T cells, stem cells along with cytokines and toll-like receptors (TLRs) based therapies are also being exploited potentially against COVID-19. Future research need to strengthen the field of developing effective immunotherapeutics and immunomodulators with a thrust of providing appropriate, affordable, convenient, and cost-effective prophylactic and treatment regimens to combat global COVID-19 crisis that has led to a state of medical emergency enforcing entire countries of the world to devote their research infrastructure and manpower in tackling this pandemic.