Racial variations in COVID‐19 deaths may be due to androgen receptor genetic variants associated with prostate cancer and androgenetic alopecia. Are anti‐androgens a potential treatment for COVID‐19?

    July 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
    John D. McCoy, Carlos Gustavo Wambier, Sergio Vano-Galvan, Jerry Shapiro, Rodney Sinclair, Paulo Müller Ramos, Kenneth Washenik, Murilo Ferreira de Andrade, Sabina Herrera, Andy Goren
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    TLDR Genetic differences may affect COVID-19 deaths; anti-androgens could be potential treatment.
    The article suggests that genetic variations in the androgen receptor may be a contributing factor to the racial disparities in COVID-19 deaths. The authors propose that androgens may be implicated in COVID-19 disease severity and that special attention may need to be given to African Americans infected with the virus. The article suggests that anti-androgens or androgen modulating drugs may be beneficial in treating COVID-19, particularly if androgen sensitivity can be confirmed as a predisposition to SARS-Cov-2 disease severity.
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