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COVID-19: Drug Targets and Potential Treatments

Carmen Gil1, Tiziana Ginex1, Inés Maestro1

  • 1Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
|June 9, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study explores potential drug targets for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing COVID-19. It reviews virus and host targets to guide medicinal chemistry for new therapeutic discovery.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The global COVID-19 pandemic is caused by SARS-CoV-2, with no approved treatments.
  • Identifying effective therapeutic strategies is a critical public health priority.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and review key virus-based and host-based targets for drug discovery against SARS-CoV-2.
  • To provide a structural perspective on druggable targets and discuss existing therapeutic compounds.
  • To explore the role of the innate immune response in coronavirus infections and potential therapeutic interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and analysis of existing research on SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses (CoVs).
  • Focus on structural aspects of viral and host targets.
  • Examination of therapeutic compounds with reported activity against CoVs.
  • Discussion of innate immune responses and related therapeutic options.

Main Results:

  • Identified numerous potentially druggable viral enzymes and proteins essential for replication.
  • Highlighted host cellular machineries targeted by SARS-CoV-2.
  • Reviewed therapeutic compounds showing activity against SARS-CoV-2 and other CoVs.
  • Presented insights into the innate immune response and its therapeutic implications.

Conclusions:

  • Medicinal chemistry efforts can be guided by understanding virus-based and host-based targets.
  • Structural information is crucial for designing effective SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics.
  • Targeting viral replication machinery and host interactions, alongside modulating the immune response, offers promising avenues for drug development against COVID-19.

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