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Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
Published on: October 29, 2015
Emerging pharmacotherapies for COVID-19
Rachana Salvi1, Panini Patankar1
1Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Seth GSMC & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, 400012, India.
Insights
Repurposed drugs like hydroxychloroquine and Remdesivir show promise for treating novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Research is ongoing for anti-inflammatory treatments and vaccines to combat the pandemic.
Area of Science:
- * Virology and Infectious Diseases
- * Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Background:
- * Novel Corona-virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe respiratory illness with high mortality.
- * The pandemic declared by WHO on March 12, 2020, has affected over 1.5 million globally.
- * No definitive therapy or vaccine exists, necessitating exploration of repurposed drugs and novel treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To review current evidence on the efficacy of repurposed drugs for COVID-19 treatment.
- * To discuss ongoing research into anti-inflammatory therapies targeting cytokine storm.
- * To provide an overview of potential therapeutic strategies for COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- * Review of current scientific literature and ongoing clinical trials, including the WHO SOLIDARITY trial.
- * Analysis of evidence for repurposed medications such as anti-malarials and anti-HIV drugs.
- * Investigation into the role of anti-inflammatory agents and cytokines in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- * Repurposed drugs including chloroquine phosphate, hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir, and Lopinavir-Ritonavir show potential efficacy.
- * Convalescent plasma therapy is also under investigation.
- * Anti-inflammatory drugs (Anakinra, Tocilizumab) and cytokines (IL-37, IL-38) demonstrate encouraging preliminary results in trials.
Conclusions:
- * Repurposed medications offer a viable treatment option for COVID-19 in the absence of definitive therapies and vaccines.
- * Targeting the inflammatory response, particularly cytokine storm, is a promising therapeutic avenue.
- * Continued research and clinical trials are crucial for developing effective COVID-19 treatments.
Abstract:
Novel Corona-virus Disease 2019 (nCOVID 19) is caused by a novel virulent corona virus and leads to potentially fatal virulent pneumonia and severe respiratory distress syndrome. It was initially declared as public health emergency if international concern by WHO followed by Pandemic on 12th March 2020. As of 10th April 2020, more than 1.5 million people are affected globally with around 95,000 deaths. Vaccines for this deadly virus are currently under development and many drugs used for other indications have been repurposed and investigated for prophylaxis and treatment of COVID 19. As per SOLIDARITY trial by WHO, some of the most promising candidates include chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine which are anti-malarial medications, Remdesivir, Lopinavir-Ritonavir combination with or without interferon which are anti-HIV drugs and convalescent plasma therapy. The current evidence of efficacy and ongoing research has been elaborated in the article. Besides, there has been evidence regarding inflammatory pathogenesis of this virus leading to cytokine storm in susceptible individuals. Thus, anti-proinflammatory cytokine drugs like Anakinra and Tocilizumab are undergoing multiple trials and some results are encouraging. Similarly, use of anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-37 and IL-38 is hypothesised to be useful and is under research. The situation is still evolving and hence there is yet no definitive therapy but to conclude the use of repurposed medications can be a boon till a definitive therapy and vaccines are developed.
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