CGRP Receptor Antagonism in COVID-19: Potential Cardiopulmonary Adverse Effects

Tom Skaria; Thomas Wälchli; Johannes Vogel

doi:10.1016/j.molmed.2020.10.005

CGRP Receptor Antagonism in COVID-19: Potential Cardiopulmonary Adverse Effects

Trends Mol Med. 2021 Jan;27(1):7-10. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.10.005. Epub 2020 Oct 22.

Authors

Tom Skaria¹, Thomas Wälchli², Johannes Vogel³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Veterinary Physiology and Zürich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
² Department of Fundamental Neurobiology, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Group of Brain Vasculature and Neurovascular Unit, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Group of CNS Angiogenesis and Neurovascular Link, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Neuroscience Center Zürich, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Division of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
³ Institute of Veterinary Physiology and Zürich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland. Electronic address: jvogel@vetphys.uzh.ch.

Abstract

Recently, the US FDA has authorized a drug repurposing trial with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists to reduce lung inflammation in coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). However, the well-established cardiopulmonary protective effects of CGRP raise concerns about the safety of antagonizing CGRP in COVID-19. Awareness regarding potential cardiopulmonary adverse effects may enable their early detection and prevent illness from worsening.

Keywords: CGRP; migraine; pulmonary hypertension; right heart failure.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
COVID-19* / metabolism
COVID-19* / pathology
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Antagonists* / adverse effects
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Antagonists* / therapeutic use
Heart Diseases* / chemically induced
Heart Diseases* / metabolism
Heart Diseases* / pathology
Humans
Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / metabolism*
SARS-CoV-2 / metabolism*

Substances

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Antagonists
Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide