2-deoxy-D-glucose as India's Response to COVID-19: A Commitment or Conceit?

ABSTRACT

2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) has recently been approved for the treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19 patients in India. Here we discuss whether this is a well-thought-out step towards the long-term management of COVID-19 or a decision taken at the spur of the moment. 2-DG, an anticancer drug, also has immunomodulatory functions. Several studies have shown 2-DG to inhibit viral replication and cytokine storm. However, these findings are mostly on cells and animal models. The clinical trial that has become the basis of the approval of this drug in India is yet to be peer-reviewed and has not explicitly addressed several concerns, nor has it established its claim of faster efficacy with rigorous statistics and safety profile. Even though 2-DG shows much promise in COVID-19 treatment, its approval seems rather premature, which may prove to be more harmful than beneficial in the long run.