Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2: Current advances in therapeutic targets and drug development

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Drug Development

Background:

• The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic presents a global health challenge requiring effective therapeutic strategies.
• Understanding SARS-CoV-2 virology, molecular mechanisms, and pathogenesis is crucial for developing targeted treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate diverse molecular targets within SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.
• To evaluate the utility of these targets in guiding novel drug development strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on molecular and drug advances targeting SARS-CoV-2 at the genomic level.
• Summary of therapeutic strategies targeting host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and viral proteases.
• Analysis of antibody-mediated therapies and recent vaccine development trends.

Main Results:

• Identification of key molecular targets at the viral genome level for therapeutic intervention.
• Evaluation of host-directed therapies, including targeting ACE2 and proteases, for their potential efficacy.
• Overview of the landscape of antibody therapies and emerging vaccine technologies against SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions:

• Multiple molecular targets and therapeutic approaches show promise for combating SARS-CoV-2.
• Further research into these strategies is essential for effective pandemic control and future preparedness.