Ezrin Peptide (HEP-1) for Treatment of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Infection
Status:
Not yet recruiting
Trial end date:
2021-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Currently, SARS-CoV-2 the novel member of the corona virus family, affecting the world
leading to COVID-19 disease. It can result life-threatening condition by developing severe
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Based on previous evidence a group of patients
with severe COVID-19 develop a cytokine storm syndrome which leads to hyper-inflammation lung
tissue damage. Supportive care is the current management of COVID-19 is and management of
ARDS as a main cause of mortality has been remained challenging. Therefore, an urgent
effective treatment of COVID-19 regarding hyper-inflammation mechanism is required.
Currently, development of novel anti-viral agents and vaccines are the main issues. However,
it needs long time, from months to years, until suitable new medications and vaccines have
been developed. An immune-modulatory tetra deca peptide (14-mer peptide) named Human Ezrin
Peptide 1 (HEP-1) (trade name Gepon) was introduced by the group of Ataullakhanov in Russia.
Regarding its proved anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effect, Russian authorities approved
Gepon for treatment of ulcerative colitis treatment and Hepatitis -C.
In this regard, it seems that Hep-1 is a very safe immune-modulatory agent which can be
effective in the management of COVID-19 infection without any adverse effect for the patient.