JU MC scientists working on a drug to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome

The research project headed by Prof. Marcin Majka and Prof. Wojciech Szczeklik from the Jagiellonian University Medical College (JU MC) has received positive recommendation from the Medical Research Agency (a Polish governmental body) as part of the efforts to quickly develop medical measures to prevent, diagnose and treat coronavirus infections. The JU MC scientists will conduct phase I and II non-commercial clinical trials on patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19.

The ARDS is among the possible complications of COVID-19. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, mechanical ventilation has been the only available treatment of this serious condition. Unfortunately, this method is only partially successful and the mortality of ARDS patients can be as high as 50 percent.

The tested medication will be based on mesenchymal stem cells, which are referred to as a ‘living drug’. The drug can reduce the inflammation caused by the coronavirus, and, consequently, the damage to lung tissue, responsible for respiration. This may reduce the patient’s dependence on mechanical ventilation in the case of the acute respiratory distress syndrome and increase the survivability rate.

The project addresses the need to improve the effectiveness of treatment of the most seriously affected patients whose condition is deteriorating. It is hoped that the new therapy will reduce the mortality of COVID-19 patients. The present results are very promising, indicating that the new medication can possibly be clinically implemented in the near future. 

“Based on the current assessment, our living drug based on mesenchymal stem cells can has some additional properties as compared to the cell-based drugs that are currently being tested in the USA, Denmark, the UK, or France, which makes it one of the most promising medications that can be used in the treatment of patients most severely affected by COVID-19”, says Prof. Marcin Majka.

source: Jagiellonian University website