Insights in chloroquine action: perspectives and implications in Malaria and COVID‐19

Pillat, Micheli Mainardi; Krüger, Arne; Guimarães, Lara Mendes Ferreira; Lameu, Claudiana; de Souza, Edmarcia Elisa; Wrenger, Carsten; Ulrich, Henning

Malaria is a threat to human mankind and kills about half a million people every year. On the other hand, COVID‐19 resulted in several hundred thousand deaths since December 2019 and remains without an efficient and safe treatment. The antimalarials chloroquine (CQ) and its analogue, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), have been tested for COVID‐19 treatment, and several conflicting evidence has been obtained. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize the evidence regarding action mechanisms of these compounds against Plasmodium and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, together with cytometry applications. CQ and HCQ act on the renin angiotensin system, with possible implications on the cardiorespiratory system. In this context, flow and image cytometry emerge as powerful technologies to investigate the mechanism of therapeutic candidates, as well as for the identification of the immune response and prognostics of disease severity. Data from the large randomized trials support the conclusion that CQ and HCQ do not provide any clinical beneficial in disease severity and progression in SARS‐CoV‐2 patients, as well as, do not present any solid evidence of increased serious side effects. These drugs are safe and effective antimalarials agents, but in SARS‐CoV‐2 patients, they need further studies in the context of a clinical trials. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.