Efficacy and safety of peginterferon lambda for Covid-19, hints of a new antiviral

Tuta-Quintero, E.; Ayala, C. M.; Santos, A. M.

Background: Interferons are a family of cytokines that act on the innate immune response of the respiratory epithelium, a site of widespread viral invasion such as SARS CoV-2. Objective: analyze the evidence medical published on the efficacy and safety of type III interferon in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Material and methods: Exploratory review of the literature that included PubMed up to March 10, 2021. Clinical trial records from the World Health Organization Network of Registries and theoretical publications and publications with empirical data in Spanish and English were included. Results: 16 publications and 4 clinical trial registries were included. Among the documents included are literature reviews (n = 7), in vitro studies (n = 4), randomized clinical trials (n=2), in vivo studies (n = 1), letters to the editor (n = 1) and position article (n = 1). Four registered clinical trials were found in the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Conclusion: Only one published clinical trial showing benefits of type III interferon in outpatients with COVID-19 is reported. Four clinical trial registries in progress will provide insight into the efficacy and safety of PGL-1. © 2021 Instituto de Altos Estudios de Salud Publica. All rights reserved.