The efficacy and safety of interferons for the treatment of patients with COVID-19: protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials

COVID-19 has since been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), infecting millions worldwide. In the absence of an approved antiviral treatment, several medications are currently being evaluated for their therapeutic effectiveness in the treatment of COVID-19. The use of Interferon (INF) subtypes previously examined in the treatment of SARS and MERS is also being initiated in some clinical trials. Although different clinical trials were evaluated IFNs in the treatment of COVID-19, its safety and efficacy remain unknown. Therefore, this study aims to systematically assess IFNs efficacy and safety in treating patients with COVID-19.