Publishing a paper on an effective treatment for COVID-19

On August 31, Kagoshima University announced the publication of a paper on an effective treatment for COVID-19.

 

The article by Dr. Kanekura Takuro, Professor of the Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, was published in the "International Journal of Infectious Diseases" on July 25, and showed that granulocyte-monocyte apheresis therapy, using an extracorporeal column developed in Japan, was an effective treatment to prevent severe deterioration among COVID-19 patients.

 

Dr. Kanekura recognized the importance of preventing the deterioration of this disease as a countermeasure against COVID-19 and found that "granulocyte-monocyte apheresis therapy" (an extracorporeal circulation to remove monocytes, macrophages, and granulocytes and to regulate cell functions) is effective in inhibiting the excessive production of cytokines and the subsequent formation of blood clots that lead to the disease exacerbation. The apheresis therapy has been investigated and developed by the Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences in collaboration with JIMRO Corporation. 

 

At the press conference, Dr. Baba Masanori, Executive Vice-President for Research and International Affairs, Kagoshima University, opened the conference with a speech on how the published treatment method would be useful in preventing the severe deterioration of COVID-19 among patients.

Dr. Kanekura then explained the mechanism of preventing the disease exacerbation by "granulocyte-monocyte apheresis therapy”. He also outlined the features of this therapy, including the fact that it selectively removes pathological granulocytes and monocytes from the body with minimal side effects.

 

After the briefing, the journalists in attendance asked many questions about this treatment method and the future prospects for its use. Thus, it was apparent that there is a high level of interest in the control of COVID-19 and the research being conducted on COVID-19 around the world.

 

Based on the published paper, we will conduct clinical trials as soon as possible to establish an effective treatment for COVID-19.

 

The press conference

　　From left to right: Dr. Oho Takahiko, Dean of the Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Dr. Baba Masanori, Executive Vice-President for Research and International Affairs, Dr. Kanekura Takuro and Dr. Kakihana Yasuyuki

Dr. Kanekura Takuro and Dr. Kakihana Yasuyuki