Page 24 - Read Online

Page 20 of 23 Skoreński et al. Rare Dis Orphan Drugs J 2023;2:6 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/rdodj.2022.21

the body.

The latest studies have indicated the possibility of using elastase inhibitors in the treatment of acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is a potentially life-threatening complication of respiratory
infections such as COVID-19. ARDS is characterized by severe inflammation in the lungs, which can cause
respiratory failure and other serious complications. Researchers have been investigating various ways to
prevent or treat ARDS in COVID-19 patients, and one promising avenue of research has focused on
inhibiting elastase activity. Several studies have explored the potential of elastase inhibitors as a therapeutic
strategy for COVID-19-associated ARDS; however, there is no approved clinical treatment of ARDS with
elastase inhibitors.

Further studies on NSPs (neutrophil serine proteases) are crucial for better understanding their role in
various pathological conditions and for the development of new NSP-targeted drugs. Neutrophil serine
proteases are enzymes released by immune cells, such as neutrophils, in response to infection or
inflammation. They play an important role in host defense by breaking down and destroying invading
pathogens. However, the excessive or uncontrolled activity of NSPs can lead to tissue damage,
inflammation, and other pathological conditions. Therefore, the development of NSP-targeted drugs has
emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for various diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. NSP-targeted drugs can potentially limit
the harmful effects of NSPs on host tissues while preserving their beneficial antimicrobial properties.

DECLARATIONS
Authors’ contributions
Conception and writing of the article: Torzyk K, Skoreński M
Manuscript preparation, final correction: Sieńczyk M

Availability of data and materials
Not applicable.

Financial support and sponsorship
This work was supported by Statut Funding No. 8211104160.

Conflicts of interest
All authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.

Consent for publication
Not applicable.

Copyright
© The Author(s) 2023.

REFERENCES
1. Stiel L, Meziani F, Helms J. Neutrophil activation during septic shock. Shock 2018;49:371-84. DOI PubMed
2. Gómez-Moreno D, Adrover JM, Hidalgo A. Neutrophils as effectors of vascular inflammation. Eur J Clin Invest 2018;48 Suppl
2:e12940. DOI PubMed