zithromax and Sarcoma--Kaposi

An outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), a respiratory disease, has infected almost one hundred million people since the end of 2019, killed over two million, and caused worldwide social and economic disruption. Because the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection of host cells and its pathogenesis remain largely unclear, there are currently no antiviral drugs with proven efficacy. Besides severe respiratory and systematic symptoms, several comorbidities increase risk of fatal disease outcome. Therefore, it is required to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on pre-existing diseases of patients, such as cancer and other infectious diseases. In the current study, we report that SARS-CoV-2 encoded proteins and some currently used anti-COVID-19 drugs are able to induce lytic reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), one of major human oncogenic viruses, through manipulation of intracellular signaling pathways. Our data indicate that those KSHV + patients especially in endemic areas exposure to COVID-19 or undergoing the treatment may have increased risks to develop virus-associated cancers, even after they have fully recovered from COVID-19.

Topics: Antiviral Agents; Azithromycin; Benzamidines; Cell Line; COVID-19; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Guanidines; Herpesviridae Infections; Herpesvirus 8, Human; Humans; Oncogenic Viruses; Sarcoma, Kaposi; SARS-CoV-2; Viral Proteins; Virus Activation

Participants at the XI International Conference on AIDS in Vancouver appeared impressed by the improvements being made in the diagnosis, treatment, and prophylaxis of AIDS-related opportunistic infections. Improvements in the following areas are discussed: cytomegalovirus infection prophylaxis and maintenance with oral ganciclovir, prophylactic effects of azithromycin against Mycobacterium avium complex infection and its potential for preventing Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and the use of doxil versus bleomycin plus vincristine in treating Kaposi's sarcoma. Developments in the use of cyclodextrin (itraconazole) for treating oral candidiasis showed it may be a more suitable option than fluconazole given fluconazole's high price, drug interactions, and potential to cause resistance.

Topics: AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Antiviral Agents; Azithromycin; Bleomycin; Candidiasis; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Doxorubicin; Drug Carriers; Ganciclovir; Humans; Liposomes; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Vincristine