Novel therapy may shorten recovery in post-COVID pediatric syndrome

Results from this small trial suggest that larazotide, a zonulin antagonist, may yield meaningful benefit as an adjunct therapy for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), particularly in children with prominent GI symptoms and persistent spike antigenemia. Its ability to accelerate recovery and improve quality of life supports further investigation in broader post-COVID inflammatory syndromes.

Study details: This phase 2a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 12 hospitalized children (median age, 5.7 years) with MIS-C following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants received adjuvant larazotide orally 4 times daily x 21 days, along with standard immunomodulatory therapy. Outcomes included GI symptom severity (via PedsQL GI scale), spike antigen clearance, inflammatory markers, and return to baseline health and activity over a 24-week follow-up.

Results: Larazotide was well tolerated, with no drug-related adverse events reported. Circulating SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen levels correlated with inflammatory markers (IFN-γ, IL-6) and GI symptom severity. Larazotide recipients demonstrated more rapid clearance of spike antigen, faster resolution of GI symptoms, and earlier return to baseline activities.

Source:

Yonker LM, et al. (2025, July 30). Sci Transl Med. Viral spike antigen clearance and augmented recovery in children with post-COVID multisystem inflammatory syndrome treated with larazotide. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40737433/