medwireNews: The EMA has authorized the use of anakinra for treating adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who require supplemental oxygen and are at risk for developing severe respiratory failure on the basis of elevated soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels.
This decision was based on results from the SAVE-MORE trial, which showed that early treatment with the interleukin IL-1 receptor antagonist reduced the risk for poor outcomes among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and suPAR levels of at least 6 ng/mL.
Anakinra is currently approved in the European Union for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Still’s disease, familial Mediterranean fever, and cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes. The agent is thought to reduce inflammation associated with COVID-19, thereby decreasing lower airway damage and helping to prevent severe respiratory failure.
medwireNews is an independent medical news service provided by Springer Healthcare Ltd. © 2022 Springer Healthcare Ltd, part of the Springer Nature Group
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