Repurposing of Anticancer Drugs Expands Possibilities for Antiviral and Anti-Inflammatory Discovery in COVID-19

Cancer Discov. 2021 Jun;11(6):1336-1344. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-21-0144. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Abstract

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented destabilization of the world's health and economic systems. The rapid spread and life-threatening consequences of COVID-19 have imposed testing of repurposed drugs, by investigating interventions already used in other indications, including anticancer drugs. The contours of anticancer drug repurposing have been shaped by similarities between the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and malignancies, including abnormal inflammatory and immunologic responses. In this review, we discuss the salient positive and negative points of repurposing anticancer drugs to advance treatments for COVID-19. SIGNIFICANCE: Targeting anti-inflammatory pathways with JAK/STAT inhibitors or anticytokine therapies aiming to curb COVID-19-related cytokine storm, using antiangiogenic drugs to reduce vascular abnormalities or immune-checkpoint inhibitors to improve antiviral defenses, could be of value in COVID-19. However, conflicting data on drug efficacy point to the need for better patient selection and biomarker studies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Drug Repositioning
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Patient Selection
  • SARS-CoV-2 / drug effects*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antiviral Agents