Interferon therapy in alpha and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2: The dichotomy between laboratory success and clinical realities

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The emergence of the Alpha and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 has led to a renewed interest in using interferon therapy as a potential treatment option. Interferons are a group of signaling proteins produced by host cells in response to viral infections. They play a critical role in the innate immune response to viral infections by inducing an antiviral state in infected and neighboring cells. Interferon therapy has shown promise as a potential treatment option for COVID-19. In this review paper, we review the current knowledge regarding interferon therapy in the context of the Alpha and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 and discuss the challenges that must be overcome to translate laboratory findings into effective clinical treatments.

Keywords: Alpha variants; COVID-19; Delta variant; Interferon; Interferon therapy.