2-Deoxy-D-Glucose: A Ray of Hope in COVID Pandemic

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a respiratory tract infection that has already made a huge negative impact in global health situation. Transmission mainly occurs through droplets, and the virus is highly contagious. Mainly symptomatic treatments are given at present with some drugs for serious patients with unproven efficacy and safety. In this context, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, a research laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organization in collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad, has introduced a new medicine named 2-Deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) (which has been previously tried in cancer) for the treatment of seriously ill COVID patients with a target to reduce the oxygen demand. Clinical trials showed evidence that 2-DG effectively reduces oxygen requirement in seriously ill patients, and real-time polymerase chain reaction conversion is also faster. Recently, 2-DG is approved for the use in critically ill patients by the Drug Controller General of India in May 2021. The introduction of 2-DG brings a new hope in reducing the mortality in COVID patients.