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Mead MN, Seneff S, Wolfinger R, Rose J, Denhaerynck K, Kirsch S, McCullough PA. COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: Lessons Learned from the Registrational Trials and Global Vaccination Campaign. Cureus 2024; 16:e52876. [PMID: 38274635 PMCID: PMC10810638 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of COVID-19 vaccinations and their impact on health and mortality has evolved substantially since the first vaccine rollouts. Published reports from the original randomized phase 3 trials concluded that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines could greatly reduce COVID-19 symptoms. In the interim, problems with the methods, execution, and reporting of these pivotal trials have emerged. Re-analysis of the Pfizer trial data identified statistically significant increases in serious adverse events (SAEs) in the vaccine group. Numerous SAEs were identified following the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), including death, cancer, cardiac events, and various autoimmune, hematological, reproductive, and neurological disorders. Furthermore, these products never underwent adequate safety and toxicological testing in accordance with previously established scientific standards. Among the other major topics addressed in this narrative review are the published analyses of serious harms to humans, quality control issues and process-related impurities, mechanisms underlying adverse events (AEs), the immunologic basis for vaccine inefficacy, and concerning mortality trends based on the registrational trial data. The risk-benefit imbalance substantiated by the evidence to date contraindicates further booster injections and suggests that, at a minimum, the mRNA injections should be removed from the childhood immunization program until proper safety and toxicological studies are conducted. Federal agency approval of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines on a blanket-coverage population-wide basis had no support from an honest assessment of all relevant registrational data and commensurate consideration of risks versus benefits. Given the extensive, well-documented SAEs and unacceptably high harm-to-reward ratio, we urge governments to endorse a global moratorium on the modified mRNA products until all relevant questions pertaining to causality, residual DNA, and aberrant protein production are answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nathaniel Mead
- Biology and Nutritional Epidemiology, Independent Research, Copper Hill, USA
| | - Stephanie Seneff
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Russ Wolfinger
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Independent Research, Research Triangle Park, USA
| | - Jessica Rose
- Immunology and Public Health Research, Independent Research, Ottawa, CAN
| | - Kris Denhaerynck
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Independent Research, Basel, CHE
| | - Steve Kirsch
- Data Science, Independent Research, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Peter A McCullough
- Cardiology, Epidemiology, and Public Health, McCullough Foundation, Dallas, USA
- Cardiology, Epidemiology, and Public Health, Truth for Health Foundation, Tucson, USA
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2
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Kushwaha ND, Mohan J, Kushwaha B, Ghazi T, Nwabuife JC, Koorbanally N, Chuturgoon AA. A comprehensive review on the global efforts on vaccines and repurposed drugs for combating COVID-19. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 260:115719. [PMID: 37597435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
The recently discovered coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, is a highly contagious and potentially lethal viral infection that was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Since the beginning of the pandemic, an unprecedented number of COVID-19 vaccine candidates have been investigated for their potential to manage the pandemic. Herein, we reviewed vaccine development and the associated research effort, both traditional and forward-looking, to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of their technology, in addition to their efficacy limitations against mutant SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, we report repurposed drug discovery, which mainly focuses on virus-based and host-based targets, as well as their inhibitors. SARS-CoV-2 targets include the main protease (Mpro), and RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp), which are the most well-studied and conserved across coronaviruses, enabling the development of broad-spectrum inhibitors of these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narva Deshwar Kushwaha
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Jivanka Mohan
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Babita Kushwaha
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Terisha Ghazi
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Joshua C Nwabuife
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Neil Koorbanally
- School of Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Anil A Chuturgoon
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
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3
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McColman S, Shkalla K, Sidhu P, Liang J, Osman S, Kovacs N, Bokhari Z, Forjaz Marques AC, Li Y, Lin Q, Zhang H, Cramb DT. SARS-CoV-2 virus-like-particles via liposomal reconstitution of spike glycoproteins. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:4167-4181. [PMID: 37560413 PMCID: PMC10408587 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00190c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, implicated in the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizes and binds host cells using its spike glycoprotein through an angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor-mediated pathway. Recent research suggests that spatial distributions of the spike protein may influence viral interactions with target cells and immune systems. The goal of this study has been to develop a liposome-based virus-like particle (VLP) by reconstituting the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein within a synthetic nanoparticle membrane, aiming to eventually establish tunability in spike protein presentation on the nanoparticle surface. Here we report on first steps to this goal, wherein liposomal SARS-CoV-2 VLPs were successfully produced via detergent mediated spike protein reconstitution. The resultant VLPs are shown to successfully co-localize in vitro with the ACE-2 receptor on lung epithelial cell surfaces, followed by internalization into these cells. These VLPs are the first step toward the overall goal of this research which is to form an understanding of the relationship between spike protein surface density and cell-level immune response, eventually toward creating better vaccines and anti-viral therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah McColman
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science, Toronto Metropolitan University Toronto ON Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto Toronto ON Canada
| | - Klaidi Shkalla
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science, Toronto Metropolitan University Toronto ON Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto Toronto ON Canada
| | - Pavleen Sidhu
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science, Toronto Metropolitan University Toronto ON Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto Toronto ON Canada
| | - Jady Liang
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto Toronto ON Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto Toronto ON Canada
| | - Selena Osman
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science, Toronto Metropolitan University Toronto ON Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto Toronto ON Canada
| | - Norbert Kovacs
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science, Toronto Metropolitan University Toronto ON Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto Toronto ON Canada
| | - Zainab Bokhari
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science, Toronto Metropolitan University Toronto ON Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto Toronto ON Canada
| | - Ana Carolina Forjaz Marques
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science, Toronto Metropolitan University Toronto ON Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto Toronto ON Canada
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Seção Técnica de Graduação, Universidade Estadual Paulista Araraquara SP Brazil
| | - Yuchong Li
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto Toronto ON Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto Toronto ON Canada
- The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Qiwen Lin
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto Toronto ON Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto Toronto ON Canada
- The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Haibo Zhang
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto Toronto ON Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto Toronto ON Canada
- The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou Guangdong China
- Departments of Anaesthesia and Physiology, Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto ON Canada
| | - David T Cramb
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science, Toronto Metropolitan University Toronto ON Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto Toronto ON Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary Calgary AB Canada
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4
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Qiu R, Chen F, Álvarez Z, Clemons TD, Biswas S, Karver MR, Takata N, Sai H, Peng H, Weigand S, Palmer LC, Stupp SI. Supramolecular Nanofibers Block SARS-CoV-2 Entry into Human Host Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:26340-26348. [PMID: 37235485 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c02447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection relies on its spike protein binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on host cells to initiate cellular entry. Blocking the interactions between the spike protein and ACE2 offers promising therapeutic opportunities to prevent infection. We report here on peptide amphiphile supramolecular nanofibers that display a sequence from ACE2 in order to promote interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain. We demonstrate that displaying this sequence on the surface of supramolecular assemblies preserves its α-helical conformation and blocks the entry of a pseudovirus and its two variants into human host cells. We also found that the chemical stability of the bioactive structures was enhanced in the supramolecular environment relative to the unassembled peptide molecules. These findings reveal unique advantages of supramolecular peptide therapies to prevent viral infections and more broadly for other targets as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruomeng Qiu
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Feng Chen
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Zaida Álvarez
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. St. Clair Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Tristan D Clemons
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Suvendu Biswas
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Mark R Karver
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Nozomu Takata
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Hiroaki Sai
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Han Peng
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Steven Weigand
- DuPont-Northwestern-Dow Collaborative Access Team (DND-CAT) Synchrotron Research Center, Advanced Photon Source (APS)/Argonne National Laboratory 432-A004, Northwestern University, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Liam C Palmer
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Samuel I Stupp
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. St. Clair Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
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5
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Firouzi R, Ashouri M. Identification of Potential Anti‐COVID‐19 Drug Leads from Medicinal Plants through Virtual High‐Throughput Screening. ChemistrySelect 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202203865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rohoullah Firouzi
- Department of Physical Chemistry Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran Tehran Iran
| | - Mitra Ashouri
- Department of Physical Chemistry School of Chemistry College of Science University of Tehran Tehran Iran
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6
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Higuchi A, Sung TC, Wang T, Ling QD, Kumar SS, Hsu ST, Umezawa A. Material Design for Next-Generation mRNA Vaccines Using Lipid Nanoparticles. POLYM REV 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/15583724.2022.2106490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Akon Higuchi
- School of Biomedical Engineering, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, Taiwan
- R&D Center for Membrane Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli, Taiwan
- Department of Reproduction, National Center for Child Health and Development, Okura, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tzu-Cheng Sung
- School of Biomedical Engineering, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ting Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qing-Dong Ling
- Cathay Medical Research Institute, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - S. Suresh Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Shih-Tien Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Taiwan Landseed Hospital, Pingjen City, Taiwan Taoyuan
| | - Akihiro Umezawa
- Department of Reproduction, National Center for Child Health and Development, Okura, Tokyo, Japan
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7
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Li Y, Tenchov R, Smoot J, Liu C, Watkins S, Zhou Q. A Comprehensive Review of the Global Efforts on COVID-19 Vaccine Development. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:512-533. [PMID: 34056083 PMCID: PMC8029445 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
This report examines various vaccine platforms including inactivated vaccines, protein-based vaccines, viral vector vaccines, and nucleic acid (DNA or mRNA) vaccines, and their ways of producing immunogens in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeffrey Smoot
- CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society, 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-3012, United States
| | - Cynthia Liu
- CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society, 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-3012, United States
| | - Steven Watkins
- CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society, 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-3012, United States
| | - Qiongqiong Zhou
- CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society, 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-3012, United States
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8
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Ali F, Hussain S, Zhu YZ. A therapeutic journey of potential drugs against COVID-19. Mini Rev Med Chem 2021; 22:1876-1894. [PMID: 33845740 DOI: 10.2174/1389557521666210412161157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (CoVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) scrambles the world by infecting millions of peoples all over the globe. It has caused tremendous morbidity, mortality and greatly impacted the lives and economy worldwide as an outcome of mandatory quarantines or isolations. Despite the worsening trends of COVID-19, no drugs are validated to have significant efficacy in clinical treatment of COVID-19 patients in large-scale studies. Physicians and researchers throughout the world are working to understand the pathophysiology to expose the conceivable handling regimens and to determine the effective vaccines and/or therapeutic agents. Some of them re-purposed drugs for clinical trials which were primarily known to be effective against the RNA viruses including MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-1. In the absence of a proven efficacy therapy, the current management use therapies based on antivirals, anti-inflammatory drugs, convalescent plasma, anti-parasitic agents in both oral and parenteral formulation, oxygen therapy and heparin support. What is needed at this hour, however, is a definitive drug therapy or vaccine. Different countries are rushing to find this, and various trials are already underway. We aimed to summarized the potential therapeutic strategies as a treatment options for COVID-19 that could be helpful to stop further spread of SARS-CoV-2 by effecting its structural components or modulation of immune response and also discusses the leading drugs/vaccines, which were considered as potential agents for controlling this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fayaz Ali
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa 999078, Macau SAR. China
| | - Shahid Hussain
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biosciences, Capital University of Science and Technology Islamabad. Pakistan
| | - Yi Zhun Zhu
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa 999078, Macau SAR. China
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9
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Gupta SP. Progress in Studies on Structural and Remedial Aspects of Newly Born Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:2362-2378. [PMID: 32962613 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200922112300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The article highlights an up-to-date progress in studies on structural and the remedial aspects of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV, renamed as SARS-CoV-2, leading to the disease COVID-19, a pandemic. In general, all CoVs including SARS-CoV-2 are spherical positive single-stranded RNA viruses containing spike (S) protein, envelope (E) protein, nucleocapsid (N) protein, and membrane (M) protein, where S protein has a Receptor-binding Domain (RBD) that mediates the binding to host cell receptor, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2). The article details the repurposing of some drugs to be tried for COVID-19 and presents the status of vaccine development so far. Besides drugs and vaccines, the role of Convalescent Plasma (CP) therapy to treat COVID-19 is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satya P Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology, Meerut-250005, India
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