Introduction
Covid-19 has aroused an unprecedented scientific ferment to tackle this deadly pandemic. The most important scientific journals, including Allergy, have created a specific section on COVID-19. As of April 28, PubMed listed 7442 papers published in 2020 (almost eight every working hour), but this number is increasing as rapidly as the number of worldwide infected people and deaths reported daily by the WHO and the national authorities. Through this emerging literature, much has been learned on the mechanisms of SARS CoV-2 infection1,2, modes of transmission, incubation period, clinical features, incidence and lethality of the disease3,4.
Following initial discordant strategies in different countriesI, there has also been general agreement on the efficacy of the lockdown in China and the strict public health measures firstly implemented in Europe by the Italian government to suppress COVID-19 diffusion (isolation of areas with a high number of positive cases, closure of non-essential public places, schools and universities, cancellation of congresses and mass gathering events). Recommendations made by governments appear to be fully justified and supported by accurate modelling on their potential effect on the mitigation or suppression of the infection5.
On the other hand, the search for an effective therapy of COVID-19 is still a work in progress, which demands a harmonized approach of the scientific community. This article aims to provide a critical overview on the clinical trials exploring potential treatment for COVID-19.