Personalized Immunotherapy Approaches in COVID-19

We are learning that the host response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ( SARS-CoV-2) infection is complex and highly dynamic. Effective initial host defense in the lung is associated with mild symptoms and disease resolution. Viral evasion of the immune response can lead to refractory alveolar damage, ineffective lung repair mechanisms, and systemic inflammation with associated organ dysfunction. The immune response in these patients is highly variable and can include moderate to severe systemic inflammation and/or marked systemic immune suppression. There is unlikely to be a “one size fits all” approach to immunomodulation in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We believe that a personalized, immunophenotype-driven approach to immunomodulation that may include anticytokine therapy in carefully selected patients and immunostimulatory therapies in others is the shortest path to success in the study and treatment of patients with critical illness due to COVID-19.

Presentations in this session:
Immunomodulation in perioperative care - Antonio Hernandez, MD, FCCM
What about sepsis? - Nuala Meyer, MD, MS
Changing the immunology course post-ICU - Lyle Moldawer, PhD
Immunomodulation in kids: more than growing up? - Jennifer Muszynski, MD, FCCM
Personalised immunotherapy approaches in COVID-19 - Mark Hall, MD, FCCM
A whistle stop tour of drugs! - Tuqa Alkhateeb, MS, PharmD