Potential Cancer Drug That Kills Infected Cells by Stopping Glucose Supply Shows Promise Against COVID-19

The cancerous cells begin to die after the drug stops the glucose supply. 2-DG is not yet approved for cancer treatment but demonstrated efficacy on COVID-19 patients in the Phase 2 trial.

The results of the Phase 2 trials of the drug were presented by drugmaker Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (Hyderabad, India) to the Indian government’s expert panel which has asked the company to conduct Phase 3 clinical trial of 2-DG. The three-month Phase 2 trial of 2-DG involving 40 patients aged between 18 to 65 years was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy for acute treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. However, the expert panel found the sample size of the Phase 2 trial to be inadequate for granting the drug market authorization and has asked Dr. Reddy’s to submit a protocol for Phase 3 trial.

Related Links:
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories