A team led by Jean-Claude Tardif, director of the Montreal Heart Institute research center and professor of medicine at the University of Montreal launched a study Monday into the use of a powerful anti-inflammatory drug to reduce the risks of pulmonary complications and death related to the new Coronavirus.
The Canadian researches are hoping the drug will work to moderate the overproduction of immune cells and their activating compounds in COVID-19 patients.
Several COVID-19 patients have had severe complications from a surge of activated immune cells in the lungs; known as a “cytokine storm.”
In a cytokine storm, the immune system overreacts and damages lung tissue, leading to acute respiratory distress and multi-organ failure.
If it proves to be successful, the drug could become a key tool in the pandemic fight.
Tardiff told public broadcaster Radio-Canada that he hopes to know if it works within three months.
One hundred and 25 people worked on the hypothesis and Health Canada approved the Quebec government-funded study within 24 hours.
According to a heart institute statement, the researchers are looking to recruit 6,000 Canadians with the Coronavirus, for a clinical trial.
There were 1,430 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Canada as of 2200 GMT Sunday, including 20 deaths.
