Guest Dr. Dan O’Brien MD is in St. Louis in Central Time
Intro: We’ve heard a lot about the word inflammation, but what exactly is it and just how bad is inflammation—especially related to the Covid-19 pandemic? Joining us in this discussion is medical futurist Dr. Dan MD.
Q&A:
Dr. Dan question 1): How do we bring down the mortality rates with COVID-19?
Dr. Dan answer: The key in the future is going to be controlling the inflammatory process like using medical therapies that target inflammation and understanding immunology, the study of the immune system.
Dr. Dan question 2): Is there a connection between current medical therapies that treat inflammatory diseases and treating COVID-19 patients?
Dr. Dan answer: Yes, chronic inflammatory disease is treated with Interleukin 6 (IL-6) antagonists. IL-6 is produced at the site of inflammation and acts as pro inflammatory cytokine and plays a role in the acute phase response. IL-6 is important to stimulate the production of antibodies as it stimulates the production of T cells that can fight infection. If we can control the inflammatory process, we can control COVID-19.
Dr. Dan question 3): Could the future treatment of IL-6 antagonists drugs play a role in curing COVID-19?
Dr. Dan answer: Yes, the literature from the society of immunology of cancer is showing benefits of IL-6 receptor blockade can benefit individuals with COVID-19. These IL-6 blockers or antagonists are the same medications that treat rheumatologic diseases.
Dr. Dan question 4): What potential drug is an IL-6 receptor blocker?
Dr. Dan answer: The medication Tocilizumab is a blocker of IL-6 which can effectively block IL-6 signal transduction pathway.
Dr. Dan question 5): Do you think in the future we should do more research looking at the inflammatory process in the body as we look for a cure for COVID-19?
Dr. Dan answer: Yes, the problem according to the recent literature is the “cytokine storm” can happen when the immune system triggers a runaway response that causes more damage to its own cells than to the invader it’s trying to fight. Cytokines are small molecules in the body that are released by certain cells to help coordinate the battle against the infection.
Dr Dan question 6): Where may we get more information on you and articles you have written on COVID-19?
Dr. Dan answer: At DrDanMd.com or on Twitter @DrDanMd1
About Dr. Dan O’Brien:
Dr. Dan is a medical expert for ‘the here and now’ but he’s also a medical Futurist, with specialized knowledge in telemedicine, digital health, robotic technology, gene editing, augmented reality, software technology and A.I.
A physician and professor with a passion for innovative healthcare technologies and public health, Dr. Dan is a popular medical expert with appearances on national Talk Shows including on Fox Television.
Dr. Dan understands the need to improve quality of care, cost, and access in healthcare. As a Chief Medical Officer for multiple healthcare startups and an award-winning scientific and academic leader, Dr. Dan brings substantial experience in public health and healthcare management.
An award-winning scientific and academic leader, Dr. Dan has worked with several biotech and pharmaceutical companies on increasing awareness, education, and research in many diagnostic and therapeutic fields, including in the biotechnology industry.
Not only is Dr. Dan is a medical expert for the here and now, but he’s also a medical Futurist, with specialized knowledge in nanobots, remote surgery and medical apps with algorithms that can be used in early detection as well as using AI to project the likely spread of disease.
Dr. Dan has an extensive physician network including relationships with key opinion leaders around the world. He has completed his clinical rotations at Emory University in Atlanta, GA and also has completed a certificate of participation from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He has an MBA in healthcare management, and a B.A from the University of Notre Dame.
