COVID-19 has infected more than 700 million people worldwide, with immunocompromised patients such as those with cancer facing far higher risks of severe illness, hospitalization and death.

The research published today in Clinical Infectious Diseases showed that a nasal spray containing interferon-alpha (IFN-α), a naturally occurring protein with broad antiviral activity, could reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection by 40% compared to placebo.

Dr. Michelle Yong, infectious diseases specialist at Peter Mac, said the results mark a shift in thinking about COVID-19 prevention in immunocompromised patients.