2-Deoxy-D-Glucose and its Derivatives for the COVID-19 Treatment: An Update

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Virology
• Drug Development

Background:

• Limited effective treatments exist for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with no interventions proven to reduce mortality.
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a significant global health challenge requiring novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) as a potential polypharmacological agent for COVID-19 treatment.
• To describe the development, synthesis, and therapeutic mechanisms of 2-DG and its derivatives against SARS-CoV-2.

Main Methods:

• Review of preclinical and clinical studies on 2-DG for COVID-19.
• Analysis of 2-DG's influence on the glycolytic pathway and its anti-inflammatory actions.
• Investigation of 2-DG's interaction with viral proteins.

Main Results:

• 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) demonstrated efficacy as an adjunct therapy for mild to severe COVID-19 cases.
• Clinical studies indicated faster recovery and reduced supplemental oxygen requirements in hospitalized patients treated with 2-DG.
• 2-DG exhibits a multi-faceted mechanism including modulation of glycolysis and anti-inflammatory effects.

Conclusions:

• 2-DG represents a promising molecularly targeted therapeutic for COVID-19 treatment.
• The drug's development and clinical validation offer a new avenue for managing SARS-CoV-2 infections.
• Further research into 2-DG derivatives may yield enhanced antiviral therapies.