Raloxifene and Bazedoxifene Could Be Promising Candidates for Preventing the COVID-19 Related Cytokine Storm, ARDS and Mortality

In Vivo. 2020 Sep-Oct;34(5):3027-3028. doi: 10.21873/invivo.12135.

Abstract

The FDA-approved drugs raloxifene and bazedoxifene could be among the best candidates to prevent mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. Raloxifene and bazedoxifene inhibit IL-6 signaling at therapeutic doses, suggesting they have the potential to prevent the cytokine storm, ARDS and mortality in severe COVID-19 patients, as is being shown with humanized antibodies blocking IL-6 signaling. In addition, raloxifene and bazedoxifene are selective estrogen receptor modulators with strong antiviral activity.

Keywords: COVID-19 therapy; IL6; SARS-CoV-2; bazedoxifene; cytokine storm; lung failure; raloxifene.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus / drug effects
  • Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Coronavirus Infections / genetics
  • Coronavirus Infections / mortality
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Cytokines / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Humans
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Interleukin-6 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / genetics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / mortality
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • Raloxifene Hydrochloride / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Estrogen / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Indoles
  • Interleukin-6
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
  • Raloxifene Hydrochloride
  • bazedoxifene