Efficacy of interferon alpha for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION

IFN-α intervention may block SARS-CoV-2 replication and normalize the deregulated innate immunity of COVID-19.

AIM

This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy of interferon IFN-α-containing regimens when treating patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

PubMed, SCOPUS, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to 15 January 2022. A systematic literature search was conducted by applying relevant terms for 'COVID-19' and 'interferon-α'. The primary outcome enclosed the all-cause hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes constituted the length of hospital stay; hospital discharge; nucleic acid negative conversion.

RESULTS

Eleven studies are enclosed in the meta-analysis. No significant difference in the all-cause mortality rate was found between the study and control groups (OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.05-1.2; I = 96%). The implementation of interferon did not influence such outcomes as the length of hospital stay (OR 0.9; 95% CІ, 0.3-2.6; I 91%), nucleic acid negative conversion (OR 0.8; 95% CI, 0.04-17.2; I 94%). Nevertheless, IFN-α treatment resulted in a higher number of patients discharged from the hospital (OR 26.6; 95% CІ, 2.7-254.3; I = 95%).

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, IFN-α does not benefit the survival of hospitalized COVID-19 patients but may increase the number of patients discharged from the hospital.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier (CRD42022374589).