Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel ruxolitinib and baricitinib analogues for potential use against COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic known as COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, threatens public health worldwide. Approval of COVID-19 vaccines and antiviral drugs have greatly reduced the severe cases and mortality rate. However, the continuous mutations of viruses are challenging the efficacies of vaccines and antiviral drugs. A drug repurposing campaign has identified two JAK1/2 inhibitors ruxolitinib and baricitinib as potential antiviral drugs. Ruxolitinib and baricitinib exert dual antiviral effect by modulation of inflammatory response via JAK1/2 and inhibition of viral entry via AAK1 and GAK. Inspired by this, in an effort to diversify chemical space, three analogues ((R)- 8 , (S)- 8 , and 9 ) of ruxolitinib and baricitinb were made using a scaffold hopping strategy. Compound 9 displayed potent and comparable potencies against AAK1, JAK1, and JAK2 compared to baricitinib. Notably, compound 9 showed better selectivity for AAK1, JAK1, and JAK2 over GAK. Besides, compound 9 displayed good druglikeness according to Lipinski's and Veber's rule. We thereby identified a potential lead compound 9 , which might be used for the further development of anti-coronaviral therapy.     

Calming the cytokine storm of COVID-19 through inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signaling

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which has infected over 178 million people worldwide. Even with new vaccines, global herd immunity will not be reached soon. New cases and viral variants are being reported at an alarming rate. Effective antiviral treatment is urgently needed. Patients with severe COVID-19 suffer from life-threatening respiratory failure due to acute respiratory distress syndrome in their lungs, a leading cause of COVID-19 mortality. This lung hyper-inflammation is induced by virus-caused massive tissue damage that is associated with uncontrolled cytokine release, known as a cytokine storm, through JAK/STAT signaling pathways. Here, we review the FDA-approved JAK inhibitors that are being clinically evaluated and repurposed for the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19 by calming SARS-CoV-2 infection.     

法匹拉韦治疗新冠肺炎临床研究进展

新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)疫情在全球大流行,临床上迫切需要特异性抗病毒治疗药物.对已批准上市或正在临床开发的药物开展重定位研究是针对突发疫情快速寻找潜在治疗药物最为快速和高效的策略.法匹拉韦是一种广谱抗RNA病毒药物,在日本和中国已批准上市用于治疗流感,其作为抗新型冠状病毒感染的潜在药物,全球多个国家正在开展...     

Efficacy of repurposed antiviral drugs: Lessons from COVID-19

The clinical, social, and economic impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, originated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), have motivated a massive search and investment to find treatments for this new disease. Repurposing drugs has been an appealing strategy for the rapid translation of in vitro and ex vivo drug discovery to the clinic. Several repurposed drugs have been assessed clinically, but no effective repurposed antiviral has been identified so far. Of note, no effective treatments for COVID-19 or for any other viral disease have been found by repurposing drugs identified through hypothesis-free screens. Here, I discuss whether drug repurposing is the best strategy for developing effective therapies to eradicate COVID-19 and other viral human infections.     

Plasma exchange in the treatment of complex COVID-19-related critical illness: controversies and perspectives

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), emerged in Wuhan, China, and has spread worldwide, resulting in over 73 million cases and more than 1 600 000 deaths as of December 2020. Although the disease is asymptomatic in most cases, some patients develop life-threatening disease characterised by acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, multisystem organ failure (MSOF), extrapulmonary manifestations, thromboembolic disease and associated cytokine release syndrome. The rationale for applying therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) early in the course of fulminant COVID-19 is the suppression of thromboinflammation and amelioration of microangiopathy, thus preventing the ensuing MSOF. In the course of complicated critical illness due to COVID-19, immune dysregulation may be as important as viral replication itself. Moreover, the natural course of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains obscure, as re-infections and/or recurrently positive real-time PCR results have been reported. Although concerns still exist regarding its potential immunosuppressive effects and safety, TPE shows promise in the management of life-threatening COVID-19 as documented by various pilot studies, which remain to be confirmed by future randomised controlled trials. However, current data suggest that TPE could be an adjunctive rescue therapy in complex COVID-19 critical illness.     

Remdesivir: Review of Pharmacology,Pre-clinical Data,and Emerging Clinical Experience for COVID-19

The global pandemic of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created an urgent need for effective antivirals. Remdesivir (formerly GS-5734) is a nucleoside analogue pro-drug currently being evaluated in COVID-19 clinical trials. Its unique structural features allow high concentrations of the active triphosphate metabolite to be delivered intracellularly and it evades proofreading to successfully inhibit viral RNA synthesis. In pre-clinical models, remdesivir has demonstrated potent antiviral activity against diverse human and zoonotic β-coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. In this article, we critically review available data on remdesivir with an emphasis on biochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and in vitro activity against coronaviruses as well as clinical experience and current progress in COVID-19 clinical trials.     

Hypothesis: The potential therapeutic role of nicorandil in COVID-19

At present, there is yet no specific antiviral treatment or immunization against the newly identified human severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV2) that results in a rapidly progressive pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We believe in a crucial need for a clinical strategy to counteract this viral pandemic based on the known pathogenesis throughout the disease course. Evidence suggests that exaggerated patient's inflammatory response and oxidative stress are likely to aggravate the disease pathology. The resulting endothelial dysfunction further induces fibrosis and coagulopathy. These disturbances can generate severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that can progress into respiratory and circulatory failure. Nicorandil is an anti-anginal vasodilator drug acts by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability and opening of the K_ATP channel. Recently, nicorandil has been recognized to possess multiple protective effects against tissue injury. Here, we address a possible modulatory role of nicorandil against COVID-19 pathogenesis. We hypothesise nicorandil would be an effective form of adjuvant therapy against COVID-19.     

Managing COVID-19 in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Review of Recent Literature and Case Supporting Corticosteroid-sparing Immunosuppression

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health care crisis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists immunocompromised patients, including those requiring immunosuppression following renal transplantation, as high risk for severe disease from SARS-CoV-2. Treatment for other viral infections in renal transplant recipients often includes a reduction in immunosuppression; however, no current guidelines are available recommending the optimal approach to managing immunosuppression in the patients who are infected with SARS-CoV-2. It is currently advised to avoid corticosteroids in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 outside of critically ill patients. Recently published cases describing inpatient care of COVID-19 in renal transplant recipients differ widely in disease severity, time from transplantation, baseline immunosuppressive therapy, and the modifications made to immunosuppression during COVID-19 treatment. This review summarizes and compares inpatient immunosuppressant management strategies of recently published reports in the renal transplant population infected with SARS-CoV-2 and discusses the limitations of corticosteroids in managing immunosuppression in this patient population.     

Baricitinib,a drug with potential effect to prevent SARS-COV-2 from entering target cells and control cytokine storm induced by COVID-19

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) suddenly broke out in China and rapidly spread all over the world. Recently, a cell surface protein, known as angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2), has been identified to be involved in receptor-mediated endocytosis for SARS-CoV-2 entry to the cells. Many studies have reported the clinical characteristics of COVID-19: sudden deterioration of disease around 1–2 weeks after onset; much lower level of lymphocytes, especially natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood; extremely high pro-inflammatory cytokines and C reactive protein (CRP). About 15.7% of patients develop severe pneumonia, and cytokine storm is an important factor leading to rapid disease progression. Currently, there are no specific drugs for COVID-19 and the cytokine storm it causes. Baricitinib intracellularly inhibits the proinflammatory signal of several cytokines by suppressing Janus kinase (JAK) JAK1/JAK2. It has been demonstrated clinical benefits for the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), active systemic lupus erythematosus and atopic dermatitis with good efficacy and safety records. Baricitinib is expected to interrupt the passage and intracellular assembly of SARS-CoV-2 into the target cells mediated by ACE2 receptor, and treat cytokine storm caused by COVID-19. Several clinical trials are currently investigating the drug, and one of which has been completed with encouraging results. In this paper, we will elaborate the role of cytokine storm mediated by JAK-STAT pathway in severe COVID-19, the possible mechanisms of baricitinib on reducing the viral entry into the target cells and cytokine storm, the key points of pharmaceutical care based on the latest research reports, clinical trials progress and drug instruction from the US FDA, so as to provide reference for the treatment of severe COVID-19.     

Pharmacovigilance in patients with diabetes: A data-driven analysis identifying specific RAS antagonists with adverse pulmonary safety profiles that have implications for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality

ObjectivesThe current demographic information from China reports that 10%-19% of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were diabetic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are considered first-line agents in patients with diabetes because of their nephroprotective effects, but administration of these drugs leads to upregulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is responsible for the viral entry of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Data are lacking to determine what pulmonary effects ACEIs or ARBs may have in patients with diabetes, which could be relevant in the management of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. This study aims to assess the prevalence of pulmonary adverse drug effects (ADEs) in patients with diabetes who were taking ACEI or ARBs to provide guidance as to how these medications could affect outcomes in acute respiratory illnesses such as SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods1DATA, a unique data platform resulting from collaboration across veterinary and human health care, used an intelligent medicine recommender system (1DrugAssist) developed using several national and international databases to evaluate all ADEs reported to the Food and Drug Administration for patients with diabetes taking ACEIs or ARBs.ResultsMining of this data elucidated the proportion of a cluster of pulmonary ADEs associated with specific medications in these classes, which may aid health care professionals in understanding how these medications could worsen or predispose patients with diabetes to infections affecting the respiratory system, specifically COVID-19. Based on this data mining process, captopril was found to have a statistically significantly higher incidence of pulmonary ADEs compared with other ACEIs (P = 0.005) as well as ARBs (P = 0.012), though other specific drugs also had important pulmonary ADEs associated with their use.ConclusionThese analyses suggest that pharmacists and clinicians will need to consider the specific medication’s adverse event profile, particularly captopril, on how it may affect infections and other acute disease states that alter pulmonary function, such as COVID-19.     

Repurposing carrimycin as an antiviral agent against human coronaviruses,including the currently pandemic SARS-CoV-2

COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection severely threatens global health and economic development. No effective antiviral drug is currently available to treat COVID-19 and any other human coronavirus infections. We report herein that a macrolide antibiotic, carrimycin, potently inhibited the cytopathic effects (CPE) and reduced the levels of viral protein and RNA in multiple cell types infected by human coronavirus 229E, OC43, and SARS-CoV-2. Time-of-addition and pseudotype virus infection studies indicated that carrimycin inhibited one or multiple post-entry replication events of human coronavirus infection. In support of this notion, metabolic labelling studies showed that carrimycin significantly inhibited the synthesis of viral RNA. Our studies thus strongly suggest that carrimycin is an antiviral agent against a broad-spectrum of human coronaviruses and its therapeutic efficacy to COVID-19 is currently under clinical investigation.     

儿童新型冠状病毒肺炎药物治疗研究进展

新型冠状病毒(severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus,SARS-CoV)-2感染在全球暴发,目前尚无明确有效的抗病毒药物治疗SARS-CoV-2感染.结合以往临床一线治疗新型冠状病毒肺炎(corona virus disease 2019,COVID-19)的经验,...     

治疗新型冠状病毒肺炎药物现有证据的文献分析

目的:对可能用于治疗新型冠状病毒肺炎(corona virus disease-19,COVID-19)的药物的现有证据进行文献检索与分析,为该病的治疗提供循证医学依据。方法:计算机检索PubMed、Clinical Trial.gov和中国临床试验注册中心官方网站,查找有关治疗COVID-19的研究。由2名研究者根据纳入与排除标准独立进行文献筛选,最后按照研究药物类别进行分类总结和分析。结果:有2项个案报道提示,瑞德西韦、洛匹那韦/利托那韦及阿比朵尔可能用于COVID-19的治疗;但1项小样本回顾性队列研究结果提示,洛匹那韦/利托那韦及阿比朵尔的疗效尚不明确;体外研究结果提示,氯喹和达芦那韦具有抗严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2型(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,SARS-CoV-2)的活性;利巴韦林和干扰素治疗COVID-19的依据主要来源于严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus,SARS-CoV)和中东呼吸综合征冠状病毒(Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus,MERS-CoV)治疗的间接证据。目前,已有多项评价上述药物治疗COVID-19的疗效及安全性的随机对照试验正在进行中。结论:虽然目前COVID-19的抗病毒治疗方法尚无高质量的循证医学证据支持,但是已有多项评价中医和西医治疗方案临床疗效的研究启动,将为COVID-19的治疗提供高质量的证据支持。     

Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease: Biological efficacy and toxicity aspects

The emergence of the highly contagious respiratory disease, COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a significant global public health concern. To combat this virus, researchers have focused on developing antiviral strategies that target specific viral components, such as the main protease (M^pro), which plays a crucial role in SARS-CoV-2 replication. While many compounds have been identified as potent inhibitors of M^pro, only a few have been translated into clinical use due to the potential risk-benefit trade-offs. Development of systemic inflammatory response and bacterial co-infection in patients belong to severe, frequent complications of COVID-19. In this context, we analysed available data on the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities of the SARS-CoV-2 M^pro inhibitors for possible implementation in the treatment of complicated and long COVID-19 cases. Synthetic feasibility and ADME properties were calculated and included for better characterisation of the compounds' predicted toxicity. Analysis of the collected data resulted in several clusters pointing to the most prospective compounds for further study and design. The complete tables with collected data are attached in Supplementary material for use by other researchers.     

Use of Remdesivir in Myasthenia gravis and COVID-19

Myasthenia gravis and the associated pharmacologic management options could place patients at higher risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and exhibiting more severe manifestations of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Multiple agents have been studied for the management of the COVID-19, including remdesivir. To date, no published reports have evaluated the utilization of the antiviral remdesivir in patients with myasthenia gravis. We describe the first reported clinical course of three patients with myasthenia gravis who safely received remdesivir in combination with dexamethasone for the management of COVID-19.     

Coagulopathy,Venous Thromboembolism,and Anticoagulation in Patients with COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a worldwide pandemic, and patients with the infection are referred to as having COVID-19. Although COVID-19 is commonly considered a respiratory disease, there is clearly a thrombotic potential that was not expected. The pathophysiology of the disease and subsequent coagulopathy produce an inflammatory, hypercoagulable, and hypofibrinolytic state. Several observational studies have demonstrated surprisingly high rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in both general ward and intensive care patients with COVID-19. Many of these observational studies demonstrate high rates of VTE despite patients being on standard, or even higher intensity, pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis. Fibrinolytic therapy has also been used in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Unfortunately, high quality randomized controlled trials are lacking. A literature search was performed to provide the most up-to-date information on the pathophysiology, coagulopathy, risk of VTE, and prevention and treatment of VTE in patients with COVID-19. These topics are reviewed in detail, along with practical issues of anticoagulant selection and duration. Although many international organizations have produced guidelines or consensus statements, they do not all cover the same issues regarding anticoagulant therapy for patients with COVID-19, and they do not all agree. These statements and the most recent literature are combined into a list of clinical considerations that clinicians can use for the prevention and treatment of VTE in patients with COVID-19.     

The epidemiology,diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19

In December 2019, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in China spread worldwide, becoming an emergency of major international concern. SARS-CoV-2 infection causes clusters of severe respiratory illness similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Human-to-human transmission via droplets, contaminated hands or surfaces has been described, with incubation times of 2-14 days. Early diagnosis, quarantine, and supportive treatments are essential to cure patients. This paper reviews the literature on all available information about the epidemiology, diagnosis, isolation and treatments of COVID-19. Treatments, including antiviral agents, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroids, antibodies, convalescent plasma transfusion and vaccines, are discussed in this article. In addition, registered trials investigating treatment options for COVID-19 infection are listed.     

新型冠状病毒肺炎治疗药物研发现状

目的 探讨新型冠状病毒肺炎(简称新冠肺炎)治疗药物研发现状、成效和存在的问题,并提出改进建议。方法 以国家卫生健康委员会《新型冠状病毒肺炎诊疗方案》中药物治疗的演变为切入点,结合临床治疗现状,总结各种治疗新型冠状病毒感染药物的特点,分析新冠肺炎疫情暴发以来登记注册拟开展的药物临床试验研究情况及存在的问题。结果 对于新冠肺炎,目前尚无特效抗病毒治疗方法,国家卫生健康委员会《新型冠状病毒肺炎诊疗方案》中所推荐的药物治疗也是基于突发疫情条件下的试用建议,且需严格监控。针对新冠肺炎疫情下登记注册拟开展的药物临床试验项目整体上普遍存在立题依据、研究基础和研究条件不充分,缺乏必要的临床前试验数据和质量保证体系等问题。结论 针对新冠肺炎,药物选择都是基于既往的严重急性呼吸综合征(SARS)、中东呼吸综合征(MERS)或其他新型流感病毒的治疗经验,积极的对症支持治疗仍是治疗的关键。针对新型冠状病毒的新药研发应回归到认真做好基于药物作用靶点、作用机制的活性筛选的基础工作。     

The broad-spectrum antiviral recommendations for drug discovery against COVID-19

Abstract

Despite to outbreaks of highly pathogenic beta and alpha coronaviruses including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and human coronavirus, the newly emerged 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) is considered as a lethal zoonotic virus due to its deadly respiratory syndrome and high mortality rate among the human. Globally, more than 3,517,345 cases have been confirmed with 243,401 deaths due to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19. The antiviral drug discovery activity is required to control the persistence of COVID-19 circulation and the potential of the future emergence of coronavirus. However, the present review aims to highlight the important antiviral approaches, including interferons, ribavirin, mycophenolic acids, ritonavir, lopinavir, inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to provoke the nonstructural proteins and deactivate the structural and essential host elements of the virus to control and treat the infection of COVID-19 by inhibiting the viral entry, viral RNA replication and suppressing the viral protein expression. Moreover, the present review investigates the epidemiology, diagnosis, structure, and replication of COVID-19 for better understanding. It is recommended that these proteases, inhibitors, and antibodies could be a good therapeutic option in drug discovery to control the newly emerged coronavirus.

• Highlights

• COVID-19 has more than 79.5% identical sequence to SARS-CoV and a 96% identical sequence of the whole genome of bat coronaviruses.

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), renal failure, and septic shock are the possible clinical symptoms associated with COVID-19.

• Different antivirals, including interferons, ribavirin, lopinavir, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) could be the potent therapeutic agents against COVID-19.

• The initial clinical trials on hydroquinone in combination with azithromycin showed an admirable result in the reduction of COVID-19.

• The overexpression of inflammation response, cytokine dysregulation, and induction of apoptosis could be an well-organized factors to reduce the pathogenicity of COVID-19.

     

The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway: A potential pharmacological target in COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a serious threat to global health. The disregulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) cell signaling pathway observed in patients with COVID-19 has attracted attention for the possible use of specific inhibitors of this pathway for the treatment of the disease. Here, we review emerging data on the involvement of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the clinical studies investigating its tailored inhibition in COVID-19. Current in silico, in vitro, and in vivo data convergently support a role for the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in COVID-19 and suggest the use of specific inhibitors of this pathway that, by a combined mechanism entailing downregulation of excessive inflammatory reactions, cell protection, and antiviral effects, could ameliorate the course of COVID-19.