Immune Modulation as a Therapeutic Option During the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak: The Case for Antimalarial Aminoquinolines

Joana Vitte (1, 2) , Moise Michel (1) , Soraya Mezouar (2) , Aissatou Bailo Diallo (1, 2) , Asma Boumaza (1, 2) , Jean-Louis Mege (1, 2) , Benoit Desnues (1, 2)

1 MEPHI - Microbes évolution phylogénie et infections
2 IHU Marseille - Institut Hospitalier Universitaire Méditerranée Infection

The rapid spread, severity, and lack of specific treatment for COVID-19 resulted in hasty drug repurposing. Conceptually, trials of antivirals were well-accepted, but twentieth century antimalarials sparked an impassioned global debate. Notwithstanding, antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of aminoquinolines have been investigatedin vitro, in vivoand in clinical trials for more than 30 years. We review the mechanisms of action of (hydroxy)chloroquine on immune cells and networks and discuss promises and pitfalls in the fight against SARS-CoV-2, the agent of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]

Joana Vitte, Moise Michel, Soraya Mezouar, Aissatou Bailo Diallo, Asma Boumaza, et al.. Immune Modulation as a Therapeutic Option During the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak: The Case for Antimalarial Aminoquinolines. Frontiers in Immunology, 2020, 11, ⟨10.3389/fimmu.2020.02159⟩. ⟨hal-03149722⟩