Filenews 15 September 2021
Despite the development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, effective therapeutic means are required until global immunity is achieved. In this direction, scientists are investigating the antiviral action of a series of drugs that are already approved and available on the market, for the treatment of other diseases.
A study published in the scientific journal PLOS Pathogens by researchers at the University of Manchester estimates that certain drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could be safely used to treat COVID-19 infections. And he points out that while the majority of the world's population is still not vaccinated, few drugs have proven safe, their distribution to the population is easy, and these formulations are capable of reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
To determine what already approved drugs could effectively treat coronavirus infections, the researchers investigated drugs that had been approved by the FDA in 1971 using a version of the coronavirus, into which they had pasted a bright enzyme, to quantify the viral load. They then analyzed the effectiveness of drugs in various types of infected human cells, and observed how well the virus was copied to the infected cells after exposure to each drug.
Infection
The authors of the study identified nine drugs that effectively suppressed the replication of the virus in cells that were already infected. The study included cells from the liver and kidneys, where the virus reproduces easily. The drugs were effective in inhibiting the virus in these cells in the laboratory, but it is also necessary to test the effectiveness of candidate treatments in patients as well. That's why the researchers point out that clinical trials are needed to determine if the drugs are suitable for patients beyond laboratory findings.
Adam Picard, a researcher, and Carl Kantler, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Manchester, explained that "Our study identified compounds that are safe in humans and show efficacy in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection and replicating it in human cells. As these drugs are approved and we already know the doses at which they can be safely administered to patients, clinical trials for these drugs could be initiated in a relatively short period of time."
Empastine
Professor Kantler added: "We identified drugs that stop the reproduction of the virus in human cells in culture. Medications include hepastine, which is approved for the treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (Pneumocystis carinii) and vitamin D3, which is available without a prescription. These drugs could be added to the treatment of COVID-19 and achieve strong results. But they have not yet been evaluated in COVID-19 patients and are not alternatives to existing treatments or vaccination programs."
The remaining drugs that were tested in the laboratory and are strong candidates for the initiation of clinical studies that will investigate their effectiveness in patients, are antimalarial amodicin, antiparasitic and antifungal atavacon, antituberculous vedakiline, antihypertensive manidipine and anticancer panobinostat and ampemasiclib, which suppress cell division.
