scholarly journals Pharmacologic profiling reveals lapatinib as a novel antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Raymonda ◽  
J. H. Ciesla ◽  
M. Monaghan ◽  
J. Leach ◽  
G. Asantewaa ◽  
...  

SUMMARYThe emergence of SARS-CoV-2 virus has resulted in a worldwide pandemic, but an effective antiviral therapy has yet to be discovered. To improve treatment options, we conducted a high-throughput drug repurposing screen to uncover compounds that block the viral activity of SARS-CoV-2. A minimally pathogenic human betacoronavirus (OC43) was used to infect physiologically-relevant human pulmonary fibroblasts (MRC5) to facilitate rapid antiviral discovery in a preclinical model. Comprehensive profiling was conducted on more than 600 compounds, with each compound arrayed at 10 dose points (ranging from 20 μM to 1 nM). Our screening revealed several FDA-approved agents that act as novel antivirals that block both OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 viral replication, including lapatinib, doramapimod, and 17-AAG. Importantly, lapatinib inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication by over 50,000-fold without any toxicity and at doses readily achievable in human tissues. Further, both lapatinib and doramapimod could be combined with remdesivir to dramatically improve antiviral activity in cells. These findings reveal novel treatment options for people infected with SARS-CoV-2 that can be readily implemented during the pandemic.

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 792
Author(s):  
Natalie Heinen ◽  
Mara Klöhn ◽  
Eike Steinmann ◽  
Stephanie Pfaender

SARS-CoV-2 has spread across the globe with an astonishing velocity and lethality that has put scientist and pharmaceutical companies worldwide on the spot to develop novel treatment options and reliable vaccination for billions of people. To combat its associated disease COVID-19 and potentially newly emerging coronaviruses, numerous pre-clinical cell culture techniques have progressively been used, which allow the study of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, basic replication mechanisms, and drug efficiency in the most authentic context. Hence, this review was designed to summarize and discuss currently used in vitro and ex vivo cell culture systems and will illustrate how these systems will help us to face the challenges imposed by the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.


2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olaf Weber ◽  
Jürgen Reefschläger ◽  
Helga Rübsamen-Waigmann ◽  
Siegfried Raddatz ◽  
Matthias Hesseling ◽  
...  

Novel peptide aldehydes (PAs) were identified as potent inhibitors of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in vitro. Although these compounds were highly effective against HCMV, they did not exhibit any activity against murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). The purpose of this study was to test the antiviral activity of PA 8 as a representative of this novel class of inhibitors against HCMV in vivo. Because of the strict species specificity of HCMV we had to use two artificial animal models. In the first model, HCMV-infected human cells were entrapped into agarose plugs and transplanted into mice. In the second model, SCID mice were transplanted with human tissues that were subsequently infected with a clinical isolate of HCMV. In these two models the antiviral activity of PA 8 was clearly demonstrated, ganciclovir only being slightly superior in its in vivo antiviral activity.


2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (45) ◽  
pp. 12786-12791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fortunato Ferrara ◽  
Daniela I. Staquicini ◽  
Wouter H. P. Driessen ◽  
Sara D’Angelo ◽  
Andrey S. Dobroff ◽  
...  

Aggressive variant prostate cancers (AVPC) are a clinically defined group of tumors of heterogeneous morphologies, characterized by poor patient survival and for which limited diagnostic and treatment options are currently available. We show that the cell surface 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), a receptor that binds to phage-display-selected ligands, such as the SNTRVAP motif, is a candidate target in AVPC. We report the presence and accessibility of this receptor in clinical specimens from index patients. We also demonstrate that human AVPC cells displaying GRP78 on their surface could be effectively targeted both in vitro and in vivo by SNTRVAP, which also enabled specific delivery of siRNA species to tumor xenografts in mice. Finally, we evaluated ligand-directed strategies based on SNTRVAP-displaying adeno-associated virus/phage (AAVP) particles in mice bearing MDA-PCa-118b, a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) of castration-resistant prostate cancer bone metastasis that we exploited as a model of AVPC. For theranostic (a merging of the terms therapeutic and diagnostic) studies, GRP78-targeting AAVP particles served to deliver the human Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase type-1 (HSVtk) gene, which has a dual function as a molecular-genetic sensor/reporter and a cell suicide-inducing transgene. We observed specific and simultaneous PET imaging and treatment of tumors in this preclinical model of AVPC. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of GPR78-targeting, ligand-directed theranostics for translational applications in AVPC.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Buchter ◽  
Yih Ching Ong ◽  
François Mouvet ◽  
Abdallah Ladaycia ◽  
Elise Lepeltier ◽  
...  

<div>Schistosomiasis is a disease of poverty affecting millions of people. Praziquantel (PZQ), with its </div><div>strengths and weaknesses, is the only treatment available. We previously reported 3 lead </div><div>compounds derived from oxamniquine (OXA), an old antischistosomal drug: ferrocene‐containing </div><div>(Fc‐CH2‐OXA), ruthenocene‐containing (Rc‐CH2‐OXA) and benzene‐containing (Ph‐CH2‐OXA). </div><div>These derivatives showed excellent in vitro activity against both Schistosoma mansoni and S. </div><div>haematobium larvae and adult worms, and in vivo against S. mansoni. Encouraged by these </div><div>promising results, we followed a guided drug discovery process and report in this investigation on </div><div>metabolic stability studies, in vivo studies, computational simulations, and formulation studies. </div><div>Molecular dynamics simulations supported the in vitro results on the target protein. Though all </div><div>three compounds were poorly stable within an acidic environment, they were only slightly cleared </div><div>in the in vitro liver model. This is likely the reason as to why the promising in vitro activity did not </div><div>translate to in vivo activity. This limitation could not be saved by the formulation of lipid </div><div>nanocapsules as an intent to improve the in vivo activity. Further studies should focus on increasing </div><div>the compound’s bioavailability, in order to reach an active concentration in the parasite’s </div><div>microenvironment. </div>


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Lee ◽  
Nicole Ammerman ◽  
Anusha Agarwal ◽  
Maram Naji ◽  
Si-Yang Li ◽  
...  

AbstractCurrent treatment options for lung disease caused by Mycobacterium abscessus complex infections have limited effectiveness. To maximize the use of existing antibacterials and to help inform regimen design for treatment, we assessed the in vitro bactericidal activity of single drugs against actively multiplying and net non-replicating M. abscessus populations in nutrient-rich and nutrient starvation conditions, respectively. As single drugs, bedaquiline and rifabutin exerted bactericidal activity only against nutrient-starved and actively growing M. abscessus, respectively. However, when combined, both bedaquiline and rifabutin were able to specifically contribute bactericidal activity at relatively low, clinically relevant concentrations against both replicating and non-replicating bacterial populations. The addition of a third drug, amikacin, further enhanced the bactericidal activity of the bedaquiline-rifabutin combination against nutrient-starved M. abscessus. Overall, these in vitro data suggest that bedaquiline-rifabutin may be a potent backbone combination to support novel treatment regimens for M. abscessus infections. This rich dataset of differential time-and concentration-dependent activity of drugs, alone and together, against M. abscessus also highlights several issues affecting interpretation and translation of in vitro findings.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Zhang ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Ashmita Saigal ◽  
Josephine Johnson ◽  
Jennifer Morrisson ◽  
...  

AbstractLung fibrosis, or the scarring of the lung, is a devastating disease with huge unmet medical need. There are limited treatment options and its prognosis is worse than most types of cancer. We previously discovered that MK-0429 is an equipotent pan-inhibitor of all αv integrins that reduces proteinuria and kidney fibrosis in a preclinical model. In the present study, we further demonstrated that MK-0429 significantly inhibits fibrosis progression in a bleomycin-induced lung injury model. In search of newer integrin inhibitors for fibrosis, we characterized monoclonal antibodies discovered using Adimab’s yeast display platform. We identified several potent neutralizing integrin antibodies with unique human and mouse cross-reactivity. Among these, Ab-31 blocked the binding of multiple αv integrins to their ligands with IC50s comparable to those of MK-0429. Furthermore, both MK-0429 and Ab-31 suppressed integrin-mediated cell adhesion and latent TGFβ activation. In IPF patient lung fibroblasts, TGFβ treatment induced profound αSMA expression in phenotypic imaging assays and Ab-31 demonstrated superior in vitro activity at inhibiting αSMA expression, suggesting that the integrin antibody is able to modulate TGFβ action though mechanisms beyond the inhibition of latent TGFβ activation. Together, our results highlight the potential to develop newer integrin therapeutics for the treatment of fibrotic lung diseases.One Sentence Summarytargeting integrin in lung fibrosis


Author(s):  
Dong Chen ◽  
Yawen Tan ◽  
Zhichao Li ◽  
Wujiao Li ◽  
Lei Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has been one of the most frequent endocrine malignancies around the world. Although most PTC patients have a favorable prognosis, a subgroup of patients die, especially when disease recurrence occurs. There is a pressing need for clinically relevant preclinical thyroid cancer models for personalized therapy because of the lack of in vitro models that faithfully represent the biology of the parental tumors. Objective To understand thyroid cancer and translate this knowledge to clinical applications, patient-derived PTC organoids as a promising new preclinical model were established. Methods Surgically resected PTC primary tissues were dissociated and processed for organoid derivation. Tumor organoids were subsequently subjected to histological characterization, DNA sequencing, drug screen, and cell proliferation assay, respectively. Results We describe a 3-dimensional culture system for the long-term expansion of patient-derived PTC organoid lines. Notably, PTC organoids preserve the histopathological profiles and genomic heterogeneity of the originating tumors. Drug sensitivity assays of PTC organoids demonstrate patient-specific drug responses, and large correlations with the respective mutational profiles. Estradiol was shown to promote cell proliferation of PTC organoids in the presence of estrogen receptor α (ERα), regardless of the expression of ERβ and G protein–coupled ER. Conclusion These data suggest that these newly developed PTC-derived organoids may be an excellent preclinical model for studying clinical response to anticancer drugs in a personalized way, as well as provide a potential strategy to develop prevention and treatment options for thyroid cancer with ERα-specific antagonists.


Author(s):  
Yu-Shan Cheng ◽  
Jose Santinni Roma ◽  
Min Shen ◽  
Caroline Mota Fernandes ◽  
Patricia S. Tsang ◽  
...  

Candida auris is an emerging fatal fungal infection that has resulted in several outbreaks in hospitals and care facilities. Current treatment options are limited by the development of drug resistance. Identifying new pharmaceuticals to combat these drug-resistant infections will thus be required to overcome this unmet medical need. We have established a bioluminescent ATP-based assay to identify new compounds and potential drug combinations showing effective growth inhibition against multiple strains of multidrug resistant Candida auris. The assay is robust and suitable for assessing large compound collections by high throughput screening. Utilizing this assay, we conducted a screen of 4,314 approved drugs and pharmacologically active compounds which yielded 25 compounds including 6 novel anti-Candida auris compounds and 13 sets of potential two drug combinations. Among the drug combinations, the serine palmitoyltransferase inhibitor myriocin demonstrated a combinational effect with flucytosine against all tested isolates during screening. This combinational effect was confirmed in 13 clinical isolates of Candida auris.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (05) ◽  
pp. 415-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Getrajdman ◽  
Joseph Lee ◽  
Alan Copperman

AbstractThe utilization of assisted reproductive technology (ART), particularly by same-sex female couples (SSFCs), has increased over the past few decades. Alongside the increase in use by lesbian women, there has also been an increase in the number of available treatment options. The process by which SSFCs make the various decisions associated with conceiving and parenting, however, has been largely overlooked. This review provides an overview of the reproductive treatments available to lesbian women and specifically highlights the “biological” and “social” obstacles they must overcome on their journey to parenthood. This review also describes how a relatively novel treatment strategy, co-in vitro fertilization, can give couples greater flexibility and provide them with the unique opportunity of a shared biological motherhood.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 558
Author(s):  
Pantea Kiani ◽  
Andrew Scholey ◽  
Thomas A. Dahl ◽  
Lauren McMann ◽  
Jacqueline M. Iversen ◽  
...  

The 2019 coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) is caused by infection with the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Currently, the treatment options for COVID-19 are limited. The purpose of the experiments presented here was to investigate the effectiveness of ketotifen, naproxen and indomethacin, alone or in combination, in reducing SARS-CoV-2 replication. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the drugs was evaluated. The findings showed that the combination of ketotifen with indomethacin (SJP-002C) or naproxen both reduce viral yield. Compared to ketotifen alone (60% inhibition at EC50), an increase in percentage inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 to 79%, 83% and 93% was found when co-administered with 25, 50 and 100 μM indomethacin, respectively. Compared to ketotifen alone, an increase in percentage inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 to 68%, 68% and 92% was found when co-administered with 25, 50 and 100 μM naproxen, respectively. For both drug combinations the observations suggest an additive or synergistic effect, compared to administering the drugs alone. No cytotoxic effects were observed for the administered dosages of ketotifen, naproxen, and indomethacin. Further research is warranted to investigate the efficacy of the combination of ketotifen with indomethacin (SJP-002C) or naproxen in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans.


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