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Research Article Open Access
Volume 3 | Issue 4 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.33696/immunology.3.100

Efficacy of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Alone or in Combination with Ruxolitinib for the Treatment of Penn Class 3 and 4 Cytokine Release Syndrome Complicating COVID-19

  • 1Prisma Health–Upstate, Greenville, South Carolina, USA
  • 2University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, SC, USA
+ Affiliations - Affiliations

Corresponding Author

W. Larry Gluck, larry.gluck@prismahealth.org

Received Date: April 14, 2021

Accepted Date: June 16, 2021

Abstract

This study was conducted to validate the efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in reducing the excessive cytokine load complicating a subset of patients with severe COVID-19 and respiratory compromise. Additionally, this trial explored molecular signals of potential benefit by the addition of JAK inhibition to TPE. Findings included an improvement in cytokine excess and oxygenation along with incremental benefit in cytokine reduction with the addition of ruxolitinib. While exploratory in nature, this study adds momentum to the pursuit of larger randomized trials.

Keywords

COVID-19, Therapeutic plasma exchange, Cytokines, Respiratory failure, Clinical trial, JAK inhibition

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