Forbes: Prof Lays Out What the Data Really Shows About Potential Coronavirus Treatments
April 9, 2020
- Author
- Jay Pfeifer
Dave Wessner, biology professor and interim chair of health and human values, made his debut as a Forbes contributor with a piece evaluating two potential treatments for the coronavirus.
In the world-wide race to treat COVID-19, two drugs攁lready in use to treat other ailments攕eem to offer promise.
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is widely prescribed to patients fighting lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. According to Wessner, 淗CQ檚 ability to modulate the inflammatory response is one reason why it檚 caught the eye of researchers.
Likewise, the antiviral remdesivir may be effective against the virus that causes COVID-19 渂ecause it looks very similar to a chemical that viruses need to reproduce.
Wessner explains why scientists are eyeing these drugs but urges proponents to proceed with caution until human trials are complete.