Regadenoson for the treatment of COVID-19: A five case clinical series and mouse studies

Adenosine inhibits the activation of most immune cells and platelets. Selective adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) agonists such as regadenoson (RA) reduce inflammation in most tissues, including lungs injured by hypoxia, ischemia, transplantation, or sickle cell anemia, principally by suppressing the activation of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. The anti-inflammatory effects of RA are magnified in injured tissues due to induction in immune cells of A2ARs and ecto-enzymes CD39 and CD73 that convert ATP to adenosine in the extracellular space. Here we describe the results of a five patient study designed to evaluate RA safety and to seek evidence of reduced cytokine storm in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Five COVID-19 patients requiring supplemental oxygen but not intubation (WHO stages 4-5) were infused IV with a loading RA dose of 5 μg/kg/h for 0.5 h followed by a maintenance dose of 1.44 μg/kg/h for 6 hours, Vital signs and arterial oxygen saturation were recorded, and blood samples were collected before, during and after RA infusion for analysis of CRP, D-dimer, circulating iNKT cell activation state and plasma levels of 13 proinflammatory cytokines. RA was devoid of serious side effects, and within 24 hours from the start of infusion was associated with increased oxygen saturation (93.8 ± 0.58 vs 96.6 ± 1.08%, P