scholarly journals A comparative analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antivirals characterizes 3CLpro inhibitor PF-00835231 as a potential new treatment for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maren de Vries ◽  
Adil S. Mohamed ◽  
Rachel A. Prescott ◽  
Ana M. Valero-Jimenez ◽  
Ludovic Desvignes ◽  
...  

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is a dire need for novel effective antivirals to treat COVID-19, as the only approved direct-acting antiviral to date is remdesivir, targeting the viral polymerase complex. A potential alternate target in the viral life cycle is the main SARS-CoV-2 protease 3CLpro (Mpro). The drug candidate PF-00835231 is the active compound of the first anti-3CLpro regimen in clinical trials. Here, we perform a comparative analysis of PF-00835231, the pre-clinical 3CLpro inhibitor GC-376, and the polymerase inhibitor remdesivir, in alveolar basal epithelial cells modified to express ACE2 (A549+ACE2 cells). We find PF-00835231 with at least similar or higher potency than remdesivir or GC-376. A time-of-drug-addition approach delineates the timing of early SARS-CoV-2 life cycle steps in A549+ACE2 cells and validates PF-00835231’s early time of action. In a model of the human polarized airway epithelium, both PF-00835231 and remdesivir potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 at low micromolar concentrations. Finally, we show that the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein, which was previously suggested to diminish PF-00835231’s efficacy based on experiments in monkey kidney Vero E6 cells, does not negatively impact PF-00835231 efficacy in either A549+ACE2 cells or human polarized airway epithelial cultures. Thus, our study provides in vitro evidence for the potential of PF-00835231 as an effective SARS-CoV-2 antiviral and addresses concerns that emerged based on prior studies in non-human in vitro models. Importance: The arsenal of SARS-CoV-2 specific antiviral drugs is extremely limited. Only one direct-acting antiviral drug is currently approved, the viral polymerase inhibitor remdesivir, and it has limited efficacy. Thus, there is a substantial need to develop additional antiviral compounds with minimal side effects and alternate viral targets. One such alternate target is its main protease, 3CLpro (Mpro), an essential component of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle processing the viral polyprotein into the components of the viral polymerase complex. In this study, we characterize a novel antiviral drug, PF-00835231, which is the active component of the first-in-class 3CLpro-targeting regimen in clinical trials. Using 3D in vitro models of the human airway epithelium, we demonstrate the antiviral potential of PF-00835231 for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2.

RSC Advances ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (70) ◽  
pp. 42816-42826
Author(s):  
Rasha M. Ahmed ◽  
Marwa A. A. Fayed ◽  
Mohammed F. El-Behairy ◽  
Inas A. Abdallah

Simeprevir is a new direct-acting antiviral drug used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.


Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohui Ju ◽  
Qiang Ding

Hepatitis E is an underestimated threat to public health, caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). HEV is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis in the world, with no available direct-acting antiviral treatment. According to a recent WHO report, 20 million people become infected with HEV annually, resulting in 44,000 deaths. However, due to the scarcity of efficient in vitro cell culture systems for HEV, our knowledge of the life cycle of HEV is incomplete. Recently, significant progress has been made towards gaining a more comprehensive view of the HEV life cycle, as several in vitro culturing systems have been developed in recent years. Here, we review current knowledge and recent advances with regard to the HEV life cycle, with a particular focus on the assembly and release of viral particles. We also discuss the knowledge gaps in HEV assembly and release. Meanwhile, we highlight experimental platforms that could potentially be utilized to fill these gaps. Lastly, we offer perspectives on the future of research into HEV virology and its interaction with host cells.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 715-727
Author(s):  
Kelli Wuerth ◽  
Tianna Magel ◽  
Brian Conway

Advances in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment led to the development of highly effective all oral direct acting antiviral regimens. The combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir (SOF/VEL), two agents acting synergistically at different stages in the viral life cycle, has been evaluated in a broad range of clinical trials supporting its efficacy in complex and diverse patient populations. Following regulatory approval in 2016, SOF/VEL has been widely used as a safe, effective pangenotypic regimen in clinical practice. In this review, we will discuss the current preclinical, clinical and real-world data on SOF/VEL.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (22) ◽  
pp. eaaz8201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Se-Jin Park ◽  
Jungho Kim ◽  
Seounghun Kang ◽  
Hyung Jin Cha ◽  
Hojeong Shin ◽  
...  

Direct-acting agents against viral components are considered as the most promising candidates for the successful antiviral therapeutics. To date, no direct-acting drugs exist for the treatment against dengue virus (DV) infection, which can develop into life-threatening diseases. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), an RNA virus–specific enzyme highly conserved among various viral families, has been known as the broad-range antiviral drug target. Here, we developed an RNA-based graphene biosensor system [RNA nano-graphene oxide system (RANGO)] to enable the fluorescence-based quantitative analysis of the RdRp enzyme activity. We used the RANGO system to a high-throughput chemical screening to identify novel direct-acting antiviral drug candidates targeting DV RdRp from the FDA-approved small-molecule library. RANGO accelerated the massive selection of drug candidates. We found that one of the selected hit compounds, montelukast, showed antiviral activity in vitro and in vivo by directly inhibiting replication of DV and thus relieved related symptoms.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Grebely ◽  
Massimo Puoti ◽  
Heiner Wedemeyer ◽  
Curtis Cooper ◽  
Mark S Sulkowski ◽  
...  

Abstract Background We evaluated the impact of opioid substitution therapy (OST) on the completion, adherence, efficacy, and safety of the 3-direct-acting antiviral regimen of ombitasvir, paritaprevir (identified by AbbVie and Enanta) co-dosed with ritonavir, and dasabuvir ± ribavirin among patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT) 1, with or without compensated cirrhosis. Methods Data were pooled from GT1-infected patients enrolled in 12 phase II/III/IIIb clinical trials and categorized by use of OST. Patients with ongoing drug use were excluded. HCV treatment completion, treatment adherence (≥90%), sustained virologic response at post-treatment week 12 (SVR12), and adverse events were assessed. Results Of 4747 patients, 3% (n = 149) received OST. Among patients receiving OST vs those not receiving OST, 82% (n = 122) vs 52% (n = 2409) had GT1a infection; 76% (n = 113) vs 61% (n = 2792) were treatment naïve; and 17% (n = 25) vs 18% (n = 830) had cirrhosis, respectively. The proportion of patients completing HCV treatment did not differ between those receiving and not receiving OST (97% [n = 144] vs 98% [n = 4510], respectively), whereas adherence to treatment was reduced in patients receiving vs those not receiving OST (88% [n = 105] vs 97% [n = 4057], respectively). SVR12 was similar between patients receiving and not receiving OST (94% [n = 140] vs 96% [n = 4405], respectively; P = .273). Treatment was well tolerated. Conclusions Although treatment adherence was lower in patients receiving OST vs those not receiving OST, treatment completion and SVR12 were similar between groups. These data support the use of direct-acting antiviral therapies in patients receiving OST.


2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-81
Author(s):  
O.Yu. Povnitsa ◽  
◽  
L.O. Biliavska ◽  
Yu.B. Pankivska ◽  
S.D. Zagorodnya ◽  
...  

Currently, 90 different types of human adenoviruses (HAdV) are known, which have been classified into seven species from A to G and new adenovirus types continue to emerge. Antigenic diversity of viruses inhibits the process of creating universal vaccines and causes the development of resistance to direct-acting antiviral drugs. In addition to the rapid development of drug resistance, too narrow a range of existing drugs and a significant number of side effects limits the treatment of adenoviral infections. There is currently no specific etiotropic antiviral drug. Therefore, the development of new effective drugs and the selection of the optimal drug for the treatment of infections caused by adenoviruses remain relevant. The aim of the study was to investigate the antiviral properties of the drugs Nazoferon spray and Nazoferon drops in a model of human adenovirus serotype 3. Methods. Determination of cytotoxicity and antiviral action of drugs was performed by standard colorimetric method using MTT. The titer of the virus, synthesized in the presence of drugs was determined by the end point of dilution of the virus, which causes 50% development of the cytopathic effect of the virus on cells (СPE). Results. Low cytotoxicity of Nazoferon spray and Nazoferon drops (manufactured by JSC Farmak, Ukraine) was shown, CC50 is 53854 IU/ml and 54357 IU/ml, respectively. Quantitative and qualitative composition of excipients had no cytotoxic effect. In prophylactic regimens, interferon preparations did not inhibit the reproduction of adenovirus in vitro. Taking into account that most of the virions remain associated with the cells during the reproduction of adenovirus in the cell, we used test to determine infectivity lysates of infected and treated cells. The infectious titer of the synthesized HAdV3 was reduced by 3.2 log10 and 3.7 log10 for Nazoferon spray and drops, respectively. Conclusions. Nazoferon spray and drops can be recommended as anti-adenoviral drugs that block the reproduction of adenovirus, and due to their bioavailability and low cost have significant advantages in the treatment of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) caused by human adenoviruses.


F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Sobhy Kishta ◽  
Reem El-Shenawy ◽  
Sobhy Ahmed Kishta

Recent improvements have been made in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with the introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). However, despite successful viral clearance, many patients continue to have HCV-related disease progression. Therefore, new treatments must be developed to achieve viral clearance and prevent the risk of HCV-related diseases. In particular, the use of pitavastatin together with DAAs may improve the antiviral efficacy as well as decrease the progression of liver fibrosis and the incidence of HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. To investigate the management methods for HCV-related diseases using pitavastatin and DAAs, clinical trials should be undertaken. However, concerns have been raised about potential drug interactions between statins and DAAs. Therefore, pre-clinical trials using a replicon system, human hepatocyte-like cells, human neurons and human cardiomyocytes from human-induced pluripotent stem cells should be conducted. Based on these pre-clinical trials, an optimal direct-acting antiviral agent could be selected for combination with pitavastatin and DAAs. Following the pre-clinical trial, the combination of pitavastatin and the optimal direct-acting antiviral agent should be compared to other combinations of DAAs (e.g., sofosbuvir and velpatasvir) according to the antiviral effect on HCV infection, HCV-related diseases and cost-effectiveness.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Radley ◽  
Emma Robinson ◽  
Esther J. Aspinall ◽  
Kathryn Angus ◽  
Lex Tan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Direct Acting Antiviral (DAAs) drugs have a much lower burden of treatment and monitoring requirements than regimens containing interferon and ribavirin, and a much higher efficacy in treating hepatitis C (HCV). These characteristics mean that initiating treatment and obtaining a virological cure (Sustained Viral response, SVR) on completion of treatment, in non-specialist environments should be feasible. We investigated the English-language literature evaluating community and primary care-based pathways using DAAs to treat HCV infection. Methods Databases (Cinahl; Embase; Medline; PsycINFO; PubMed) were searched for studies of treatment with DAAs in non-specialist settings to achieve SVR. Relevant studies were identified including those containing a comparison between a community and specialist services where available. A narrative synthesis and linked meta-analysis were performed on suitable studies with a strength of evidence assessment (GRADE). Results Seventeen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria: five from Australia; two from Canada; two from UK and eight from USA. Seven studies demonstrated use of DAAs in primary care environments; four studies evaluated integrated systems linking specialists with primary care providers; three studies evaluated services in locations providing care to people who inject drugs; two studies evaluated delivery in pharmacies; and one evaluated delivery through telemedicine. Sixteen studies recorded treatment uptake. Patient numbers varied from around 60 participants with pathway studies to several thousand in two large database studies. Most studies recruited less than 500 patients. Five studies reported reduced SVR rates from an intention-to-treat analysis perspective because of loss to follow-up before the final confirmatory SVR test. GRADE assessments were made for uptake of HCV treatment (medium); completion of HCV treatment (low) and achievement of SVR at 12 weeks (medium). Conclusion Services sited in community settings are feasible and can deliver increased uptake of treatment. Such clinics are able to demonstrate similar SVR rates to published studies and real-world clinics in secondary care. Stronger study designs are needed to confirm the precision of effect size seen in current studies. Prospero: CRD42017069873.


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