The pharmacological development of direct acting agents for emerging needed therapy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2

J Chin Med Assoc. 2020 Aug;83(8):712-718. doi: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000353.

Abstract

Recently, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was quickly identified as the causal pathogen leading to the outbreak of SARS-like illness all over the world. As the SARS-CoV-2 infection pandemic proceeds, many efforts are being dedicated to the development of diverse treatment strategies. Increasing evidence showed potential therapeutic agents directly acting against SARS-CoV-2 virus, such as interferon, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, viral entry blockers, neuraminidase inhibitor, vaccine, antibody agent targeting the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome, natural killer cells, and nucleocytoplasmic trafficking inhibitor. To date, several direct anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents have demonstrated promising in vitro and clinical efficacy. This article reviews the current and future development of direct acting agents against SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Betacoronavirus* / genetics
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Drug Development*
  • Genome, Viral
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antiviral Agents