letermovir and Cytokine-Release-Syndrome

Drug repurposing is the need of the hour considering the medical emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, cytokine storm by the host immune system has been linked with high viral load, loss of lung function, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiple organ failure, and subsequent fatal outcome.. This study aimed to identify potential FDA approved drugs that can be repurposed for COVID-19 treatment using an in-silico analysis.. Based on the findings, Rifampicin and Letermovir appeared as the most promising drug showing a very good binding affinity with the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 and TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. However, it is pertinent to mention here that our findings need further validation by in vitro analysis and clinical trials.. This study provides an insight into the drug repurposing approach in which several FDA approved drugs were examined to inhibit COVID-19 infection by targeting the main protease of SARS-COV-2 and the cytokine storm.

Topics: Acetates; Antiviral Agents; COVID-19; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Cytokine Release Syndrome; Cytokines; Drug Repositioning; Humans; Molecular Docking Simulation; Quinazolines; Rifampin; SARS-CoV-2; Viral Proteases