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Remdesivir: From Ebola to COVID-19
M Gabriella Santoro1, Ernesto Carafoli2
1Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|January 3, 2021
Summary
Remdesivir, an antiviral drug, shows promise in treating human coronavirus infections like SARS-CoV-2. Clinical trials indicate it can shorten recovery time for hospitalized patients, though results vary across studies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Human coronaviruses (HCoV) evolved from mild pathogens to severe threats (SARS, MERS) this century.
- No approved antiviral drugs existed for human coronavirus infections.
- Remdesivir, an antiviral prodrug, demonstrated broad-spectrum in vitro and preclinical activity against coronaviruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the discovery and molecular mechanism of remdesivir.
- To summarize initial and current clinical studies on remdesivir's efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of remdesivir's development and clinical trials.
- Analysis of in vitro and preclinical data on antiviral activity.
- Evaluation of results from key clinical studies, including ACTT-1.
Main Results:
- Remdesivir inhibits a wide range of coronavirus replication.
- The ACTT-1 trial showed shortened recovery times in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 patients treated with remdesivir.
- Other clinical trials yielded mixed or negative results regarding remdesivir efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Remdesivir emerged as an early clinical candidate for SARS-CoV-2 due to its broad antiviral properties.
- Clinical efficacy of remdesivir for human coronavirus infections requires further investigation, as evidenced by varied trial outcomes.
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