scholarly journals Progress in Anti-Mammarenavirus Drug Development

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1187
Author(s):  
Yu-Jin Kim ◽  
Victor Venturini ◽  
Juan C. de la Torre
Keyword(s):  
Drug Development ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
Off Label ◽  
The Past ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Significant Mortality

Mammarenaviruses are prevalent pathogens distributed worldwide, and several strains cause severe cases of human infections with high morbidity and significant mortality. Currently, there is no FDA-approved antiviral drugs and vaccines against mammarenavirus and the potential treatment option is limited to an off-label use of ribavirin that shows only partial protective effect and associates with side effects. For the past few decades, extensive research has reported potential anti-mammarenaviral drugs and their mechanisms of action in host as well as vaccine candidates. This review describes current knowledge about mammarenavirus virology, progress of antiviral drug development, and technical strategies of drug screening.

scholarly journals Xanthohumol Is a Potent Pan-Inhibitor of Coronaviruses Targeting Main Protease

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 12134
Author(s):  
Yuxi Lin ◽  
Ruochen Zang ◽  
Yanlong Ma ◽  
Zhuoya Wang ◽  
Li Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Drug Development ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Lead Compound ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Ic50 Value

Coronaviruses cause diseases in humans and livestock. The SARS-CoV-2 is infecting millions of human beings, with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The main protease (Mpro) of coronavirus plays a pivotal role in viral replication and transcription, which, in theory, is an attractive drug target for antiviral drug development. It has been extensively discussed whether Xanthohumol is able to help COVID-19 patients. Here, we report that Xanthohumol, a small molecule in clinical trials from hops (Humulus lupulus), was a potent pan-inhibitor for various coronaviruses by targeting Mpro, for example, betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (IC50 value of 1.53 μM), and alphacoronavirus PEDV (IC50 value of 7.51 μM). Xanthohumol inhibited Mpro activities in the enzymatical assays, while pretreatment with Xanthohumol restricted the SARS-CoV-2 and PEDV replication in Vero-E6 cells. Therefore, Xanthohumol is a potent pan-inhibitor of coronaviruses and an excellent lead compound for further drug development.

scholarly journals Addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy - healthcare workers and trainees must be equipped for discussions about vaccines

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander J Moszczynski ◽  
Matthew Hintermayer
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
The Past

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has challenged our world throughout the past year. As we end 2020 conversing with loved ones, the topic of COVID-19 vaccination is inevitable. Throughout the next year, our gradual return to a more familiar society will be influenced by vaccine compliance. It is therefore paramount that healthcare professionals and trainees are equipped with current knowledge to address the questions and concerns of our loved ones. The Holidays should be viewed as an opportunity to address misconceptions and questions. This brief review outlines some arguments for why a COVID-19 vaccine is necessary and clarifies some features of the current top vaccine candidates. By addressing the questions and concerns of our loved ones before they need to decide whether or not they will receive a COVID-19 vaccine, we lay the groundwork for them to make informed choices.

scholarly journals Off-label use of rituximab in dermatology: pemphigus treatment

2013 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 676-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lislaine Bomm ◽  
Tainá Scalfoni Fracaroli ◽  
João Luz Sodré ◽  
Aline Bressan ◽  
Alexandre Carlos Gripp
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Pemphigus Vulgaris ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Off Label ◽  
The Past ◽  
Inflammatory Conditions ◽  
United States Food ◽  
States Food

Since its approval in 1997 by the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration), rituximab has been used for certain B-cell lymphomas and treatment-resistant rheumatoid arthritis. Nevertheless, over the past 14 years, many case reports have demonstrated the efficacy of off-label rituximab in several dermatological inflammatory conditions. This study describes two cases of pemphigus vulgaris and two cases of pemphigus foliaceous that were treated with rituximab at 375 mg/m2 once a week for 4 weeks, and that responded well to treatment.

QT Interval Monitoring and Drugs Management During COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Gasperetti ◽  
Marco Schiavone ◽  
Claudio Tondo ◽  
Gianfranco Mitacchione ◽  
Maurizio Viecca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qt Interval ◽  
Qt Prolongation ◽  
Biologic Agents ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Off Label ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
Arrhythmogenic Potential ◽  
Randomised Controlled

While facing potentially high morbidity from COVID-19 without known effective therapies, the off-label use of several non-specific drugs has been advocated, including re-purposed anti-virals (e.g. remdesivir or the lopinavir/ritonavir combination), biologic agents (e.g. tocilizumab), and antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, in association with or without azithromycin. Data regarding the effectiveness of these drugs in treating COVID-19 has been shown in some trials and clinical settings, but further randomised controlled trials are still being carried out. One of the main concerns regarding their widespread use however, are their possible effects on the QT interval and their arrhythmogenic potential. Some of this drugs have been in fact associated to QT prolongation and Torsades de Point, a potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmia. Aim of this review is to highlight the magnitude of this problem, to quickly refresh clinically impacting cornerstones of QT interval and TdP pathophysiology, to summarize the available evidence regarding the QT and arrhythmia impact of drugs used in different clinical settings in COVID-19 patients, and to help the physician dealing with the knowledge needed in the everyday clinical duties in case of doubts regarding QT-induced arrhythmias in this time of emergency.

Remdesivir (GS-5734) for COVID-19 Treatment: Past and Recent Updates

Coronaviruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santhosh Arul ◽  
Haripriya Dayalan
Keyword(s):  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Off Label ◽  
The Past ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
And Control ◽  
Viral Outbreak

Background: SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic now and several preventive and control measures have been taken by several countries to contain and treat the disease. WHO has been working meticulously and have been providing up to date information and statistics on incidences and death. Several broad spectrum anti-viral drugs are available and have been used in the past to fight against the viral outbreak. Recently Remdesivir, an experimental prodrug from Gilead Sciences have been found potential to be used as a therapy to treat the COVID-19. Objective: Here we have reviewed the previous findings that are available in the literature and report several findings that are crucial and provide up to date information. Results : Remdesivir was initially invented for use against Ebola virus treatment and has proved potential against different strains of Ebola, Nipah, and other strains of coronaviruses. Clinical trials with Remdesivir for COVID-19 patients have begun and several off label use of Remdesivir is reported recently. Currently the drug seems to have effect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus with side effects among few patients. The results although are not conclusive are partly promising. This review provides past and recent updates on the use of Remdesivir. Conclusion: From the review we conclude that the drug Remdesivir is known to exhibit its mechanism of action by terminating the RNA synthesis and it is a potential drug against the novel corona virus.

scholarly journals Emerging zoonosis of a novel avian influenza A (H7N9) Virus. Are we prepared in the neotropics?

2013 ◽  
pp. 3437-3438
Author(s):  
Salim Mattar V ◽  
Marco González T
Keyword(s):  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
H7n9 Virus ◽  
The Past ◽  
The People ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Severe Respiratory Illness

Zoonotic diseases represents a 78% of emerging and reemerging diseases, virus has an important proportion in zoonosis. We are not amazing anymore, we frequently see new virus that suddenly appears producing high morbidity and mortality, and all of them have non-specific treatment to try stopping them. The entire recent virus that came to our modern societies, were original from animals.The first human infections with a novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus were described in China in March 2013 (1-3). The virus was detected in poultry (1-3). Many of the people infected (77%) with H7N9 have been reported to have contact with poultry. While mild illness in human cases has been seen, most patients have had severe respiratory illness and some people have died. No cases of H7N9 outside of China have been reported yet. The new H7N9 virus has not been detected in people or birds in the neotropics (1-3).Human infections with avian influenza occur most commonly after exposure to infected poultry (1-3). Limited person-to-person spread of bird flu is believed to have occurred rarely in the past, most notably with avian influenza A (H5N1). Based on this previous experience with avian influenza A (H5N1), some limited human-to-human spread of this H7N9 virus would not be surprising. Most important, however, is that this transmission not be sustained (1-3).

scholarly journals The Off-Label Use of Hydroxychloroquine in Prophylaxis and Treatment of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-9
Author(s):  
Ashish Paul
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Fatal Disease ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Very High

Coronavirus pandemic has covered the entire globe only in a few months and has been declared as a public health emergency due to a very high morbidity as well as mortality rate.  Till date no curative measure is available for this fatal disease and only social distancing has been of some help in prevention. However, anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine is being tried for prophylaxis and treatment at early stages of the disease although it is not an approved indication for this drug which has given some hope to health care professionals and the affected population.

scholarly journals The knowledge and experience with the off-label use – results of a survey

Pharmacia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 217-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Drenska ◽  
Emilia Naseva ◽  
Ilko N. Getov
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
National Level ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Local Current ◽  
Statistical Program ◽  
Label Use

Introduction: The aim of this survey is to assess the current knowledge and experience of medical doctors in regard to off-label use and to determine whether it is legal, according to them, as the local current legislation on medicinal products does neither prohibit nor explicitly permit such use. Materials and methods: One hundred medical doctors from inpatient and outpatient medical care participated and answered 10 questions. The inclusion criteria were to have a degree in medicine and right to prescribe medications. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS v19.0 statistical program. Results: The results show that 8 out of 10 medical doctors have knowledge in regard to the meaning of the term “off-label”. More than half (62%) stated they have prescribed off-label medicine in their medical practice. Half of the respondents (49%) experienced some kind of trouble when prescribing off-label. In regard to whether the law allows this practice, opinions were divided. To a larger extent (88%), medical doctors support the introduction of clearer rules for off-label use in Bulgaria. Conclusion: Edical doctors have significant knowledge about off-label use, but feel uncertainty in their actions when they use medicines off-label. It is necessary to consider regulating this use at a national level, following the good examples of other European Union (EU) member states, until a harmonized solution within EU is found.

scholarly journals Model Based Evaluation of Hypersensitivity Adverse Drug Reactions to Antimicrobial Agents in Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelbaset A. Elzagallaai ◽  
Michael J. Rieder
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Drug Development ◽  
Adverse Drug Reactions ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Drug Hypersensitivity ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Hypersensitivity Reactions ◽  
Drug Reactions ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions

Drug use in children is–in most cases–supported by extrapolation of data generated from clinical trials in adult populations. This puts children at higher risk of developing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) due to “off-label” use of drugs and dosing issues. Major types of ADRs are drug hypersensitivity reactions, an idiosyncratic type of ADRs that are largely unpredictable and can cause high morbidity and mortality in a hard-to-identify specific population of patients. Lack of a complete understanding of the pathophysiology of DHRs and their unpredictive nature make them problematic in clinical practice and in drug development. In addition, ethical and legal obstacles hinder conducting large clinical trials in children, which in turn make children a “therapeutic orphan” where clear clinical guidelines are lacking, and practice is based largely on the personal experience of the clinician, hence making modeling desirable. This brief review summarizes the current knowledge of model-based evaluation of diagnosis and management of drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) to antimicrobial drugs in the pediatric population. Ethical and legal aspects of drug research in children and the effect of different stages of child development and other factors on the risk of DHRs are discussed. The role of animal models, in vitro models and oral provocation test in management of DHRs are examined in the context of the current understanding of the pathophysiology of DHRs. Finally, recent changes in drug development legislations have been put forward to encourage drug developers to conduct trials in children clearly indicate the urgent need for evidence to support drug safety in children and for modeling to guide these clinical trials.

scholarly journals Use of off-label medicines in pediatric population

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-92
Author(s):  
Sara Radojević ◽  
Dušanka Krajnović
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Medicine Use ◽  
Off Label ◽  
The Past ◽  
Children's Diseases ◽  
The World ◽  
Medicines For Children

Modern use of drugs in the treatment of diseases of children and newborns is increasingly based on off-label use of drugs. The lack of adequate formulations for the pediatric population, the lack of appropriate therapeutic parallels for the treatment of children's diseases and the small number of clinical trials involving the pediatric population have contributed to the mass use of these drugs. The use of these drugs implies extrapolation of doses and indications registered for adults to children, although it is known that the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of children and adults differ significantly. In the past two decades, many legislative and regulatory initiatives have been taken around the world to improve the use of drugs in children. However, children are still prescribed off-label and unlicensed drugs. The aim of this study was to present a review of the literature in which off-label and unlicensed use in the pediatric population was investigated. Literature was searched through the Google Scholar and Pub Med search engines and using the keywords off label drug, pediatric medicine, use in pediatrics, in the period from May to August 2019. Selected and presented in this article are studies published in the period from 1996 to 2015, which as a subject of research had the use of off-label and unlicensed drugs in the pediatric population. Medicines prescribed for children should be registered for use in the pediatric population and used in accordance with approved indications for children, whenever possible. It is necessary to take measures for more rational use of medicines in pediatrics, which include the collaboration of health workers in order to provide medicines for children that are proven to be effective, high quality and safe to use.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document