The PIKfyve Inhibitor Apilimod: A Double-Edged Sword against COVID-19
Open Access
Abstract
The PIKfyve inhibitor apilimod is currently undergoing clinical trials for treatment of COVID-19. However, although apilimod might prevent viral invasion by inhibiting host cell proteases, the same proteases are critical for antigen presentation leading to T cell activation and there is good evidence from both in vitro studies and the clinic that apilimod blocks antiviral immune responses. We therefore warn that the immunosuppression observed in many COVID-19 patients might be aggravated by apilimod.Keywords
Funding Information
- Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy (RGY0080/2018)
- NWO-ALW Vidi (864.14.001)
- European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (862137)
- VENI grant from The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (016.Veni.192.026)
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