THE anti-cancer drug acalabrutinib has been included in the ongoing solidarity trial of the World Health Organization (WHO) to find a treatment for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a virtual press briefing Friday, October 16, 2020, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said acalabrutinib is used to treat a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

"About 2 weeks ago, this chemotherapeutic regimen was included in the treatment arm of the WHO solidarity trial," Vergeire said.

She said more drugs may soon be included in the ongoing solidarity trial of the WHO since it is considered as an "open study".

"They are still trying to explore what are other antiviral drugs that can be included," she related.

Acalabrutinib was included after the first drugs included in the solidarity trial - remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir and interferon - did not show promising results.

"Based on the initial results seen in patients, if the drug does not show any effectiveness and may do more harm than good, the WHO can really stop its provision even during the course of the trial," Vergeire said. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)