PREreview of Interferon-α Nasal Spray to Prevent COVID-19 and Respiratory Viral Infections in Cancer Patients; a Randomised, Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Published
- DOI
- 10.5281/zenodo.15467269
- License
- CC BY 4.0
Summary:
This paper explains the methods and results of a randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial of a daily 40,000IU IFN-α nasal spray in cancer patients. The study took place from 2020-2023, with a 90-day treatment period for placebo and treatment groups. The researchers highlight a novel interferon nasal spray with protective properties for an at risk population, potentially opening up new COVID preventive strategies for medical use. Overall, the methods were very standard for a RCT and the authors produced significant results, but there are still a couple questions in which the authors could clarify to enhance the validity and generalizability.
Areas for Improvement:
Major:
Elaboration on subject’s day-to-day life during their treatment period: The study took place from December 17th, 2020 to April 10th, 2023, meaning there were various stages of lockdown policies in place for different study cohorts. While the authors write that they strongly encouraged participants to follow the national lockdown guidelines in 2021, the individual coherence to lockdown guidelines is unknown. Spending time in exposed and populated areas or not using personal protective equipment would increase one’s risk of getting COVID. Therefore, it is important that the author's account for individual behaviors to ensure there is no excess exposure to COVID in the treatment of placebo groups during the study.
Exclusion of covid in cancer patients: The authors excluded participants if they had a head or neck cancer, previous COVID-19 infection, were on another interventional trial, or not suitable based on treating physician decision. By not including anyone with a COVID-19 infection, the study population is not representative of the general population today since previous COVID infection and exposure is very common. To account for this exclusion, the authors should elaborate upon their reasoning behind this criteria and how it would affect implementation into modern practice.
Minor:
Optional: integrating the Introduction to the Research in Context section. Especially regarding the Evidence before this study section, the information could be more effective to read in tangent/one section.
Competing interests
The author declares that they have no competing interests.