Monocyte signature predicts dexamethasone response in severe COVID-19 patients

DZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesJul 3 2024 Researchers at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have now discovered how the cortisone compound influences the impaired inflammatory response and which patients benefit from it. Their method uses so-called single-cell analyses and raises hopes for a precise prediction tool for other therapies and diseases as well.

Monocytes indicate course of therapy At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, it became apparent that the immune system of people with a severe course of the disease often reacts excessively to the virus. They were therefore given dexamethasone, a cortisone derivative that is used to treat numerous diseases in order to influence the immune system. In many patients, treatment with dexamethasone resulted in rapid improvement.

The researchers were able to elucidate these processes with the help of single-cell sequencing. "This method allows for the individual characterisation of every single cell. Analysing cell signatures in such detail provides insights into the organism that were not possible just a few years ago", says Prof. Dr. Joachim Schultze, Director for Systems Medicine at DZNE and also one of the study's lead authors.

Health Health Latest News, Health Health Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Scientists unravel life-saving effect of dexamethasone in COVID-19Dexamethasone is one of the most important drugs in the treatment of severe COVID-19, but patients respond very differently to the therapy.
Source: medical_xpress - 🏆 101. / 51 Read more »

Long COVID linked to higher risk of erectile dysfunction, new study findsThe risk of developing erectile dysfunction (ED) following a diagnosis of long coronavirus disease (COVID) compared to acute COVID.
Source: NewsMedical - 🏆 19. / 71 Read more »

Ethnic minorities experience stigma and discrimination in accessing long COVID careNew research has found that the stigma of COVID-19, racism, and discrimination in health care have impacted the ability of ethnic minority patients to access health care for long COVID symptoms.
Source: medical_xpress - 🏆 101. / 51 Read more »