Since the evolution of the pandemic, when we started, we really didn't have any guidance for the treatment. The treatment for the SARS-CoV-2 infection has definitely evolved. We divide the treatment options in categories of the severity of illness. The treatment available for mild to moderate disease is basically supportive care. Once the patient is starting to require oxygen and they start to develop pneumonia at that time, the standard of care now is remdesivir and then later on steroids are added to decrease the inflammation in the lung. Barsitnip is another agent that is used if the patients are unable to receive steroids for some reason. So remdesivir, dexamethasone and barsitnip. Once the patient develops really bad pneumonia and the inflammatory state, then we start dosilizumab early on, very early on when they get admitted or get to the ICU. That's also an anti-inflammatory, so decrease the inflammation in the lung and maybe avoid an intubation or a bad outcome in attempts to decrease the inflammation in addition to the steroid. So these are the main approved or I would say standard of practice. Dosilizumab is not used across the U.S. Certain institutions use it, others do not based on the clinical trial because it really didn't receive an FDA approval.
HealthTree • June 17, 2021