Inhaled Heparin Shows Promise in Treating Severe COVID-19 and Beyond
A widely available and affordable drug, heparin, has demonstrated important effectiveness in treating seriously ill COVID-19 patients, according to a groundbreaking new international study. The research, spearheaded by scientists at the Australian National university (ANU) in partnership with King’s College London, offers a potential new weapon in the fight against respiratory infections, and a crucial advantage as the world prepares for future pandemics.
The study, analyzing data from nearly 500 hospitalized COVID-19 patients across six countries, revealed a striking outcome: those who inhaled heparin were half as likely to require mechanical ventilation and experienced a substantially lower risk of death compared to patients receiving standard care. This suggests a powerful therapeutic benefit from delivering the drug directly to the lungs.
Traditionally administered via injection to prevent blood clots, this study explored a novel delivery method. Researchers found that inhaled heparin leverages the drug’s multifaceted properties – acting not only as an anticoagulant but also exhibiting anti-inflammatory and pan-antiviral effects. previous studies had already indicated improvements in breathing and oxygen levels in COVID-19 patients following inhaled heparin treatments, paving the way for this larger, more thorough examination.
“Inhaled heparin is anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant,” stated a senior researcher involved in the study. “There’s no other drug that has that unique combination. We certainly know it’s only a matter of time until the next pandemic, and there are still COVID-19 patients who get very sick. This is a great weapon to have up our sleeve.”
While the findings are encouraging, researchers emphasize that further development is necessary before inhaled heparin can become a standard treatment protocol. However, the potential extends beyond COVID-19. The team believes the drug could prove beneficial in combating other severe respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia, which can be caused by a variety of viral and bacterial pathogens.
The benefits may also extend to vulnerable populations. According to Professor van Haren, the drug could be notably helpful for individuals with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients, when facing respiratory infections.
Professor Frank van Haren,lead author of the study and Director of the Intensive Care Unit at St George Hospital in sydney,explained the broad applicability of the treatment: “It doesn’t matter what kind of respiratory infection the patient is dealing with,the drug – when inhaled – will stop it from infecting the patient and from damaging the lungs.” The research team is planning a follow-up trial in Europe to assess the drug’s efficacy against common respiratory infections like influenza and RSV. A key advantage of heparin is its affordability, making it particularly accessible to patients in low-income countries.
Researchers are currently working on refining the heparin formulation specifically for inhalation, aiming to optimize its delivery and effectiveness.The study’s findings were published in eClinicalMedicine and concurrently presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress in Amsterdam on Sunday, September 28, a leading annual event for respiratory research. This innovative appr
