Hyperinflammatory cytokine profile is a serious complication of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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COVID-19 can result in a ‘cytokine storm’ that leads to worse clinical outcomes.
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NF-κB is a protein complex that controls cytokine production and inflammation.
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Montelukast attenuates the signalling of NF-κB and modulates cytokine production.
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Repurposing montelukast may reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.
As a result of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, a clinical complication can arise that is characterized by a hyperinflammatory cytokine profile, often termed a ‘cytokine storm’. A protein complex (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells; NF-κB) is intricately involved in regulating inflammation and the immune response following viral infections, with a reduction in cytokine production often observed following a decrease in NF-κB activity. An approved asthma drug, montelukast, has been found to modulate the activity of NF-κB, and result in a corresponding decrease in proinflammatory mediators. Herein, we hypothesize that repurposing montelukast to suppress NF-κB activation will result in an attenuation of proinflammatory mediators and a decrease in cytokine production, thereby leading to a reduction in symptom severity and to improved clinical outcomes in patients with Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).
