Recent Progress in the Discovery of Anti-Mpox Agents

The monkeypox (mpox) outbreak has once again become a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, increasing the focus of research on the development of anti-monkeypox drugs. Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a member of the Orthopxviridae genus, which also contains the variola virus, cowpox virus, and vaccinia virus. As no specific drugs for mpox are available, tecovirimat and brincidofovir for the treatment of smallpox infection are recommended to treat Mpox infection. The purpose of this review is to provide reference for further development of Mpox virus antiviral drugs by summarizing the resolving Mpox virus target protein structures and its mechanism of action, drugs with potential anti-Mpox virus activity, in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity detection methods of anti-Mpox virus drugs, and the prevention of drug resistance. We hope to facilitate the discovery of antiviral drugs for MPXV by providing insights into the further development of appropriate anti-Mpox drugs based on currently available viral protein targets.