Efficacy of Intravenous Anakinra and Ruxolitinib During COVID-19 Inflammation

Two physiopathological phases exist during COVID-19 disease: The early phase is mainly induced by the virus itself. It is imperative not to decrease the immune host response during this phase by prohibiting the use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids at this stage and developing an anti-viral strategy. The late phase, around Day 7-9, depends only upon host response and is linked to an excessive inflammatory response with a major increase of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, MCP-1, GCSF indicative of IL-1b excess, as well as IP-10, MIP-1, indicative of IFNg signature, corresponding to a "cytokine storm". Clinical and biological features during Still's disease (complicated in 10% of cases with hemophagocytosic lymphohistiocytosis inducing cytopenia, hepatic insufficiency, major hyperferritinemia and multi-organ failure) are close to those reported during COVID-19 and underline physiopathological similarities. Anakinra (KINERET) is an IL-1 pathway (IL-1ra) specific inhibitor that has been used for 15 years, also largely blocking IL-18 production. Adult Still's disease is very effectively treated with anakinra. During sepsis with hyperferritinemia, IL-1ra demonstrated patient survival improvement. Ruxolitinib (JAKAVI) inhibits the downstream IFNg pathway targeting JAK kinase receptor. It has recently proved its efficiency in hemophagocytosic lymphohistiocytosis refractory forms associated with a multi-organ failure.