Combined Use of Tocilizumab and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in the Treatment of Severe Covid-19: Case Report

Cell Transplant. 2021 Jan-Dec:30:9636897211021008. doi: 10.1177/09636897211021008.

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic is one of the most significant public health events in recent history. Currently, no specific treatment is available. Some drugs and cell-based therapy have been tested as alternatives to decrease the disease's symptoms, length of hospital stay, and mortality. We reported the case of a patient with a severe manifestation of COVID-19 in critical condition who did not respond to the standard procedures used, including six liters of O2 supplementation under a nasal catheter and treatment with dexamethasone and enoxaparin in prophylactic dose. The patient was treated with tocilizumab and an advanced therapy product based on umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSC). The combination of tocilizumab and UC-MSC proved to be safe, with no adverse effects, and the results of this case report prove to be a promising alternative in the treatment of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome due to SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: COVID-19; mesenchymal stromal cells; tocilizumab; umbilical cord.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • COVID-19 / therapy*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Karyotyping
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • Thorax / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Umbilical Cord / cytology
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • RNA, Viral
  • tocilizumab