Exploring New Scaffolds for the Dual Inhibition of HIV-1 RT Polymerase and Ribonuclease Associated Functions

5-Nitro-3-(2-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)hydrazineylidene)indolin-2-one derivatives inhibit HIV-1 replication by a multitarget mechanism of action

In the effort to identify and develop new HIV-1 inhibitors endowed with innovative mechanisms, we focused our attention on the possibility to target more than one viral encoded enzymatic function with a single molecule. In this respect, we have previously identified by virtual screening a new indolinone-based scaffold for dual allosteric inhibitors targeting both reverse transcriptase-associated functions: polymerase and RNase H. Pursuing with the structural optimization of these dual inhibitors, we synthesized a series of 35 new 3-[2-(4-aryl-1,3-thiazol-2-ylidene)hydrazin-1-ylidene]1-indol-2-one and 3-[3-methyl-4-arylthiazol-2-ylidene)hydrazine-1-ylidene)indolin-2-one derivatives, which maintain their dual inhibitory activity in the low micromolar range. Interestingly, compounds 1a, 3a, 10a, and 9b are able to block HIV-1 replication with EC₅₀ < 20 µM. Mechanism of action studies showed that such compounds could block HIV-1 integrase. In particular, compound 10a is the most promising for further multitarget compound development.

Recent advances on dual inhibitors targeting HIV reverse transcriptase associated polymerase and ribonuclease H

Reverse transcriptase (RT) plays an indispensable role in the replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through its associated polymerase and ribonuclease H (RNase H) activities during the viral RNA genome transformation into proviral DNA. Due to the fact that HIV is a highly mutagenic virus and easily resistant to single-target RT inhibitors, dual inhibitors targeting HIV RT associated polymerase and RNase H have been developed. These dual inhibitors have the advantages of increasing efficacy, reducing drug resistance, drug-drug interactions, and cytotoxicity, as well as improving patient compliance. In this review, we summarize recent advances in polymerase/RNase H dual inhibitors focusing on drug design strategies, and structure-activity relationships and share new insights into developing anti-HIV drugs.

Recent Advances in Influenza, HIV and SARS-CoV-2 Infection Prevention and Drug Treatment—The Need for Precision Medicine

Viruses, and in particular, RNA viruses, dominate the WHO’s current list of ten global health threats. Of these, we review the widespread and most common HIV, influenza virus, and SARS-CoV-2 infections, as well as their possible prevention by vaccination and treatments by pharmacotherapeutic approaches. Beyond the vaccination, we discuss the virus-targeting and host-targeting drugs approved in the last five years, in the case of SARS-CoV-2 in the last one year, as well as new drug candidates and lead molecules that have been published in the same periods. We share our views on vaccination and pharmacotherapy, their mutually reinforcing strategic significance in combating pandemics, and the pros and cons of host and virus-targeted drug therapy. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided evidence of our limited armamentarium to fight emerging viral diseases. Novel broad-spectrum vaccines as well as drugs that could even be applied as prophylactic treatments or in early phases of the viremia, possibly through oral administration, are needed in all three areas. To meet these needs, the use of multi-data-based precision medicine in the practice and innovation of vaccination and drug therapy is inevitable.