Current Therapies and Treatments Being Tested
Jennifer Thompson
April 07 2020
April 07 2020
Use of current drug therapies
Remdesivir
Remdesivir is a drug therapy that was originally developed to combat the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak. Past research on remdesivir has shown it to effectively fight both severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-1) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV). It has been discovered that remdesivir mimics an RNA nucleotide that is used when the virus replicates itself, copying its genetic information in the form of RNA nucleotides. This is important, as remdesivir’s antiviral properties come from the fact that it prevents growing RNA strands from continuing to replicate by blocking the proteins involved in adding further nucleotides. By blocking viral replication, the drug limits the amount of virus that is able to spread to and infect surrounding healthy cells. Based on the ability of remdesivir to work on both SARS and MERS, many researchers and clinicians speculated that it could also be used on SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) since they are all in the same genetic family.
In early clinical trials, remdesivir was given to COVID-19 patients seven days after diagnosis. Based on initial results, the drug was able to improve and ultimately clear all patient symptoms. This clinical study is currently slated to continue until April to better validate the results across an increased number of patients. Based on the nature of COVID-19 and viral infections in general, treatment will most likely take a combination of different drug therapies in order to be effective. It is also important to note that remdesivir is currently considered to be an experimental drug reserved for trials, so it is not widely available to patient use.
Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malaria therapy that has been used since the 1940’s. Currently, hydroxychloroquine is widely used to treat various autoimmune diseases, and therefore the side effects and dosages of the drug are already well known. Hydroxychloroquine specifically impairs membrane fusion and does not allow foreign entities to enter inside the cell. Clinicians and researchers have also speculated that this drug could potentially be used for patients with COVID-19, since it acts as a base that increases the pH of more acidic organelles within a cell, preventing them from functioning properly.
Initial research conducted on hydroxychloroquine proved effectiveness in preventing SARS-CoV-2 from entering cells, decreasing the impact of the viral infection. To follow up, a clinical trial was completed in France in which patients with COVID-19 were either given hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine. The results showed that the use of hydroxychloroquine was able to aid in virus elimination after a short treatment duration. Although the trial contained only 36 patients, the results showed 70% of patients that received hydroxychloroquine did not test positive for COVID-19 after six days. Currently, government support for the use of hydroxychloroquine has risen in the US as a means to deal with our large number of cases.
Remdesivir
Remdesivir is a drug therapy that was originally developed to combat the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak. Past research on remdesivir has shown it to effectively fight both severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-1) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV). It has been discovered that remdesivir mimics an RNA nucleotide that is used when the virus replicates itself, copying its genetic information in the form of RNA nucleotides. This is important, as remdesivir’s antiviral properties come from the fact that it prevents growing RNA strands from continuing to replicate by blocking the proteins involved in adding further nucleotides. By blocking viral replication, the drug limits the amount of virus that is able to spread to and infect surrounding healthy cells. Based on the ability of remdesivir to work on both SARS and MERS, many researchers and clinicians speculated that it could also be used on SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) since they are all in the same genetic family.
In early clinical trials, remdesivir was given to COVID-19 patients seven days after diagnosis. Based on initial results, the drug was able to improve and ultimately clear all patient symptoms. This clinical study is currently slated to continue until April to better validate the results across an increased number of patients. Based on the nature of COVID-19 and viral infections in general, treatment will most likely take a combination of different drug therapies in order to be effective. It is also important to note that remdesivir is currently considered to be an experimental drug reserved for trials, so it is not widely available to patient use.
Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malaria therapy that has been used since the 1940’s. Currently, hydroxychloroquine is widely used to treat various autoimmune diseases, and therefore the side effects and dosages of the drug are already well known. Hydroxychloroquine specifically impairs membrane fusion and does not allow foreign entities to enter inside the cell. Clinicians and researchers have also speculated that this drug could potentially be used for patients with COVID-19, since it acts as a base that increases the pH of more acidic organelles within a cell, preventing them from functioning properly.
Initial research conducted on hydroxychloroquine proved effectiveness in preventing SARS-CoV-2 from entering cells, decreasing the impact of the viral infection. To follow up, a clinical trial was completed in France in which patients with COVID-19 were either given hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine. The results showed that the use of hydroxychloroquine was able to aid in virus elimination after a short treatment duration. Although the trial contained only 36 patients, the results showed 70% of patients that received hydroxychloroquine did not test positive for COVID-19 after six days. Currently, government support for the use of hydroxychloroquine has risen in the US as a means to deal with our large number of cases.
Image of the SARS-CoV-2 (magenta) emerging from a cell (blue), which enables the virus to infect other cells. Use of the drug hydroxychloroquine can hopefully prevent the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering cells.
Image Source: NIH
Transplantation Therapies
Antibody Blood Transfusions
One potential therapy being discussed relies on using antibodies collected from patients that have successfully recovered from COVID-19. The human immune system contains B Cells that produce antibodies, special proteins that recognize and target bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders for degradation. B Cells make antibodies that are specific for each pathogen that enters the body; however, these specific antibodies take nearly two weeks to produce. Formed antibodies are released into the blood, so collection of blood samples from recovered COVID-19 patients would allow for the isolation of specific antibodies that can fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Transplanting these antibodies to affected patients could help speed up the immune system’s response and increase the ability of the body to fight against the virus. There is also discussion of creating antibody testing kits in order to determine whether the virus is present in the body based on the amount of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the samples. This type of test would enable a faster and larger scale detection of the virus.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are known to have numerous anti-inflammatory properties while helping to boost the immune system. The transplantation of MSCs into infected patients may reduce their production of inflammatory cytokines, which otherwise produce symptoms of illness. MSCs also can increase the production of other immune elements like B Cells and T Cells, giving the body a better ability to fight against infections. In China, MSCs were used in a January clinical trial where clinicians reported that COVID-19 patients showed an increase in pulmonary function and a decrease in the severity of symptoms. Like the use of antibody blood transfusions, MSCs can help to strengthen the immune system and aid the body in its battle against the spread of COVID-19.
The Importance of Getting Tested
In order to limit the spread of COVID-19, it is important to know whether you should get tested. Most patients who receive a positive diagnosis have mild to acute symptoms that can be cured with over-the-counter medicines and resting at home.
If you have fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other flu-like symptoms 2-14 days after exposure to someone with COVID-19, please consult your local healthcare provider in order to have an informed discussion on being tested. It is important to contact and get the opinion of a medical professional since there are limited numbers of tests due to the high demand for testing. A medical professional can also provide information on where and how to get tested. If you are feeling these symptoms, ensure that you do not enter public places; it is paramount that you limit your contact and exposure to other people. For additional information, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 informational website.
Antibody Blood Transfusions
One potential therapy being discussed relies on using antibodies collected from patients that have successfully recovered from COVID-19. The human immune system contains B Cells that produce antibodies, special proteins that recognize and target bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders for degradation. B Cells make antibodies that are specific for each pathogen that enters the body; however, these specific antibodies take nearly two weeks to produce. Formed antibodies are released into the blood, so collection of blood samples from recovered COVID-19 patients would allow for the isolation of specific antibodies that can fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Transplanting these antibodies to affected patients could help speed up the immune system’s response and increase the ability of the body to fight against the virus. There is also discussion of creating antibody testing kits in order to determine whether the virus is present in the body based on the amount of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the samples. This type of test would enable a faster and larger scale detection of the virus.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are known to have numerous anti-inflammatory properties while helping to boost the immune system. The transplantation of MSCs into infected patients may reduce their production of inflammatory cytokines, which otherwise produce symptoms of illness. MSCs also can increase the production of other immune elements like B Cells and T Cells, giving the body a better ability to fight against infections. In China, MSCs were used in a January clinical trial where clinicians reported that COVID-19 patients showed an increase in pulmonary function and a decrease in the severity of symptoms. Like the use of antibody blood transfusions, MSCs can help to strengthen the immune system and aid the body in its battle against the spread of COVID-19.
The Importance of Getting Tested
In order to limit the spread of COVID-19, it is important to know whether you should get tested. Most patients who receive a positive diagnosis have mild to acute symptoms that can be cured with over-the-counter medicines and resting at home.
If you have fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other flu-like symptoms 2-14 days after exposure to someone with COVID-19, please consult your local healthcare provider in order to have an informed discussion on being tested. It is important to contact and get the opinion of a medical professional since there are limited numbers of tests due to the high demand for testing. A medical professional can also provide information on where and how to get tested. If you are feeling these symptoms, ensure that you do not enter public places; it is paramount that you limit your contact and exposure to other people. For additional information, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 informational website.
Use of COVID-19 testing kits can enable the detection of whether or not one is infected with the virus. There are various testing methods currently in use right in order to try to have the quickest and most effective method develop.
Image Source: geralt
Vaccine Development
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has begun a Phase 1 clinical trial for an investigational vaccine for COVID-19. This vaccine was designed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to have the body express a viral protein sample that will then trigger an immune response. This immune response can then prepare the body to respond to an actual coronavirus infection much more rapidly. In other words, it is similar to jumpstarting the immune system. Studies conducted in animals have shown promising results, and this marks the first clinical trial being done for a coronavirus vaccine. The Phase 1 trial plans to enroll 45 patients in order to determine the safety of the potential vaccine. If the vaccine is safe and there are no harmful or detrimental effects, the vaccine will move into Phase 2 testing where more people can be enrolled in order to determine whether the vaccine is clinically effective.
*Please note that some links in the article will require specific internet access*
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has begun a Phase 1 clinical trial for an investigational vaccine for COVID-19. This vaccine was designed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to have the body express a viral protein sample that will then trigger an immune response. This immune response can then prepare the body to respond to an actual coronavirus infection much more rapidly. In other words, it is similar to jumpstarting the immune system. Studies conducted in animals have shown promising results, and this marks the first clinical trial being done for a coronavirus vaccine. The Phase 1 trial plans to enroll 45 patients in order to determine the safety of the potential vaccine. If the vaccine is safe and there are no harmful or detrimental effects, the vaccine will move into Phase 2 testing where more people can be enrolled in order to determine whether the vaccine is clinically effective.
*Please note that some links in the article will require specific internet access*
Featured Image Source: Pixabay
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