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COVID-19: Antiviral agents and enzyme inhibitors/receptor blockers in development

Manasi P Jogalekar1, Anurag Veerabathini2, Ankit B Patel1

  • 1Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Experimental Biology and Medicine (Maywood, N.J.)
|March 24, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Researchers are investigating repurposed antiviral drugs and new vaccines to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing COVID-19. This review details drug mechanisms, toxicities, and clinical trials for potential COVID-19 treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019 has led to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The World Health Organization declared a pandemic, and numerous states declared emergencies due to the widespread impact of COVID-19.
  • The lack of specific treatments for COVID-19 has prompted urgent research into therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of repurposed antiviral drugs for treating COVID-19.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of action, associated toxicities, and clinical trial outcomes of these repurposed agents.
  • To highlight ongoing efforts in developing new vaccine candidates against SARS-CoV-2.

Main Methods:

  • Computational approaches were employed to screen extensive antiviral compound libraries for potential efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.
  • Existing antiviral agents developed for other viral infections were identified for repurposing.
  • A review of preclinical and clinical data for select repurposed drugs and vaccine candidates was conducted.

Main Results:

  • Advances in computational drug screening have accelerated the identification of potential SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics.
  • Several repurposed drugs are under investigation, with ongoing clinical trials evaluating their effectiveness and safety.
  • New vaccine candidates are progressing through preclinical and clinical development stages.

Conclusions:

  • Repurposing existing antiviral drugs represents a viable strategy in the race to find effective COVID-19 treatments.
  • Understanding the mechanism of action and toxicity profiles of repurposed agents is crucial for their clinical application.
  • Continued research and development of both repurposed drugs and novel vaccines are essential to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords:
COVID-19angiotensin-converting enzyme 2hydroxychloroquinelopinavirremdesivirsevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

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