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Cheema HA, Abdul Rab S, Butt M, Jafar U, Shahid A, Rehman AU, Lee KY, Sahra S, Sah R. Molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 outpatients: An updated meta-analysis. J Microbiol Immunol Infect 2024:S1684-1182(24)00048-3. [PMID: 38555274 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The majority of available data on molnupiravir come from an unvaccinated COVID-19 population. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to integrate evidence from recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as well as observational studies stratified by vaccination status to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of molnupiravir in COVID-19 outpatients. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, medRxiv, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to November 2023. We conducted our meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4 with risk ratio (RR) as the effect measure. RESULTS We included 8 RCTs and 5 observational studies in our meta-analysis. Molnupiravir reduced the risk of all-cause mortality (RR 0.28; 95% CI: 0.20-0.79, I2 = 0%) but did not decrease the hospitalization rate (RR 0.67; 95% CI: 0.45-1.00, I2 = 53%) in the overall population; in the immunized population, no benefits were observed. Molnupiravir lowered the rate of no recovery (RR 0.78; 95% CI: 0.76-0.81, I2 = 0%) and increased virological clearance at day 5 (RR 2.68; 95% CI: 1.94-4.22, I2 = 85%). There was no increase in the incidence of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Molnupiravir does not decrease mortality and hospitalization rates in immunized patients with COVID-19. However, it does shorten the disease course and increases the recovery rate. The use of molnupiravir will need to be considered on a case-by-case basis in the context of the prevailing social circumstances, the resource setting, drug costs, and the healthcare burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huzaifa Ahmad Cheema
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | | | - Momina Butt
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Uzair Jafar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Abia Shahid
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Aqeeb Ur Rehman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ka Yiu Lee
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
| | - Syeda Sahra
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Ranjit Sah
- Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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2
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Johnson DM, Brasel T, Massey S, Garron T, Grimes M, Smith J, Torres M, Wallace S, Villasante-Tezanos A, Beasley DW, Comer JE. Evaluation of molnupiravir ( EIDD-2801) efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in the rhesus macaque model. Antiviral Res 2023; 209:105492. [PMID: 36535309 PMCID: PMC9756747 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Molnupiravir (EIDD-2801) is a prodrug of a ribonucleoside analogue that is currently being used under a US FDA emergency use authorization for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19. We evaluated molnupiravir for efficacy as an oral treatment in the rhesus macaque model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Twenty non-human primates (NHPs) were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 and treated with 75 mg/kg (n = 8) or 250 mg/kg (n = 8) of molnupiravir twice daily by oral gavage for 7 days. The NHPs were observed for 14 days post-challenge and monitored for clinical signs of disease. After challenge, all groups showed a trend toward increased respiration rates. Treatment with molnupiravir significantly reduced viral RNA levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples at Days 7 and 10. Considering the mild to moderate nature of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the rhesus macaque model, this study highlights the importance of monitoring the viral load in the lung as an indicator of pharmaceutical efficacy for COVID-19 treatments. Additionally, this study provides evidence of the efficacy of molnupiravir which supplements the current ongoing clinical trials of this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan M. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Trevor Brasel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Shane Massey
- Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Tania Garron
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Michael Grimes
- Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jeanon Smith
- Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Maricela Torres
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - David W. Beasley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jason E. Comer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA,Corresponding author. 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
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3
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Bluemling GR, Mao S, Natchus MG, Painter W, Mulangu S, Lockwood M, De La Rosa A, Brasel T, Comer JE, Freiberg AN, Kolykhalov AA, Painter GR. The prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of the broadly active antiviral ribonucleoside N 4-Hydroxycytidine (EIDD-1931) in a mouse model of lethal Ebola virus infection. Antiviral Res 2023; 209:105453. [PMID: 36379378 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
The unprecedented magnitude of the 2013-2016 Ebola virus (EBOV) epidemic in West Africa resulted in over 11 000 deaths and spurred an international public health emergency. A second outbreak in 2018-2020 in DRC resulted in an additional >3400 cases and nearly 2300 deaths (WHO, 2020). These large outbreaks across geographically diverse regions highlight the need for the development of effective oral therapeutic agents that can be easily distributed for self-administration to populations with active disease or at risk of infection. Herein, we report the in vivo efficacy of N4-hydroxycytidine (EIDD-1931), a broadly active ribonucleoside analog and the active metabolite of the prodrug EIDD-2801 (molnupiravir), in murine models of lethal EBOV infection. Twice daily oral dosing with EIDD-1931 at 200 mg/kg for 7 days, initiated either with a prophylactic dose 2 h before infection, or as therapeutic treatment starting 6 h post-infection, resulted in 92-100% survival of mice challenged with lethal doses of EBOV, reduced clinical signs of Ebola virus disease (EVD), reduced serum virus titers, and facilitated weight loss recovery. These results support further investigation of molnupiravir as a potential therapeutic or prophylactic treatment for EVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory R Bluemling
- Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD), 954 North Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory (DRIVE), 1230 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 3875, Atlanta, GA, 30309, USA
| | - Shuli Mao
- Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD), 954 North Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Michael G Natchus
- Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD), 954 North Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Wendy Painter
- Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, LP, 3480 Main Highway, Unit 402, Miami, FL, 33133, USA
| | - Sabue Mulangu
- Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, LP, 3480 Main Highway, Unit 402, Miami, FL, 33133, USA
| | - Mark Lockwood
- Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD), 954 North Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Abel De La Rosa
- Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD), 954 North Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory (DRIVE), 1230 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 3875, Atlanta, GA, 30309, USA
| | - Trevor Brasel
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; The Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Jason E Comer
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; The Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Institute of Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Alexander N Freiberg
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555-0609, USA; The Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Alexander A Kolykhalov
- Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD), 954 North Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory (DRIVE), 1230 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 3875, Atlanta, GA, 30309, USA.
| | - George R Painter
- Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD), 954 North Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory (DRIVE), 1230 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 3875, Atlanta, GA, 30309, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1510 Clifton Road, 5001 Rollins Research Center, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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Roy M, Jacque N, Novicoff W, Li E, Negash R, Evans SJM. Unlicensed Molnupiravir is an Effective Rescue Treatment Following Failure of Unlicensed GS-441524-like Therapy for Cats with Suspected Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Pathogens 2022; 11. [PMID: 36297266 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a complex and historically fatal disease, though recent advances in antiviral therapy have uncovered potential treatments. A newer therapeutic option, unlicensed molnupiravir, is being used as a first-line therapy for suspect FIP and as a rescue therapy to treat cats who have persistent or relapsed clinical signs of FIP after GS-441524 and/or GC376 therapy. Using owner-reported data, treatment protocols for 30 cats were documented. The 26 cats treated with unlicensed molnupiravir as a rescue therapy were treated with an average starting dosage of 12.8 mg/kg and an average ending dosage of 14.7 mg/kg twice daily for a median of 12 weeks (IQR = 10-15). In total, 24 of 26 cats were still living disease-free at the time of writing. One cat was euthanized after completing treatment due to a prolonged seizure, and the other cat underwent retreatment for relapsed clinical signs. Few adverse effects were reported, with the most notable-folded ears (1), broken whiskers (1), and severe leukopenia (1)-seen at dosages above 23 mg/kg twice daily. This study provides a proof of principle for the use of molnupiravir in cats and supports the need for future studies to further evaluate molnupiravir as a potentially safe and effective therapy for FIP.
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5
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Fatima M, Azeem S, Saeed J, Shahid A, Cheema HA. Efficacy and safety of molnupiravir for COVID-19 patients. Eur J Intern Med 2022; 102:118-121. [PMID: 35649740 PMCID: PMC9130682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2022.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maurish Fatima
- Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Saleha Azeem
- Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Junaid Saeed
- Department of Medicine, Nishtar Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Abia Shahid
- Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
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6
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Miranda JA, McKinzie PB, Dobrovolsky VN, Revollo JR. Evaluation of the mutagenic effects of Molnupiravir and N4-hydroxycytidine in bacterial and mammalian cells by HiFi sequencing. Environ Mol Mutagen 2022; 63:320-328. [PMID: 36181379 DOI: 10.1002/em.22510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Molnupiravir (MOV) is used to treat COVID-19. In cells, MOV is converted to the ribonucleoside analog N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC) and incorporated into the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome during its replication, resulting in RNA mutations. The widespread accumulation of such mutations inhibits SARS-CoV-2 propagation. Although safety assessments by many regulatory agencies across the world have concluded that the genotoxic risks associated with the clinical use of MOV are low, concerns remain that it could induce DNA mutations in patients, particularly because numerous in vitro studies have shown that NHC is a DNA mutagen. In this study, we used HiFi sequencing, a technique that can detect ultralow-frequency substitution mutations in whole genomes, to evaluate the mutagenic effects of MOV in E. coli and of MOV and NHC in mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells and human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells. In all models, exposure to these compounds increased genome-wide mutation frequencies in a dose-dependent manner, and these increases were mainly composed of A:T → G:C transitions. The NHC exposure concentrations used for mammalian cells were comparable to those observed in the plasma of humans who received clinical doses of MOV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime A Miranda
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | - Page B McKinzie
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | - Vasily N Dobrovolsky
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | - Javier R Revollo
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
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7
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Stegmann KM, Dickmanns A, Heinen N, Blaurock C, Karrasch T, Breithaupt A, Klopfleisch R, Uhlig N, Eberlein V, Issmail L, Herrmann ST, Schreieck A, Peelen E, Kohlhof H, Sadeghi B, Riek A, Speakman JR, Groß U, Görlich D, Vitt D, Müller T, Grunwald T, Pfaender S, Balkema-Buschmann A, Dobbelstein M. Inhibitors of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase cooperate with Molnupiravir and N4-hydroxycytidine to suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication. iScience 2022; 25:104293. [PMID: 35492218 PMCID: PMC9035612 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleoside analog N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC) is the active metabolite of the prodrug molnupiravir, which has been approved for the treatment of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 incorporates NHC into its RNA, resulting in defective virus genomes. Likewise, inhibitors of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) reduce virus yield upon infection, by suppressing the cellular synthesis of pyrimidines. Here, we show that NHC and DHODH inhibitors strongly synergize in the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. We propose that the lack of available pyrimidine nucleotides upon DHODH inhibition increases the incorporation of NHC into nascent viral RNA. This concept is supported by the rescue of virus replication upon addition of pyrimidine nucleosides to the media. DHODH inhibitors increased the antiviral efficiency of molnupiravir not only in organoids of human lung, but also in Syrian Gold hamsters and in K18-hACE2 mice. Combining molnupiravir with DHODH inhibitors may thus improve available therapy options for COVID-19. Molnupiravir and DHODH inhibitors are approved drugs, facilitating clinical testing The combination may allow lower drug doses to decrease possible toxic effects Inhibitors of nucleotide biosynthesis may boost antiviral nucleoside analogs
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim M Stegmann
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, Justus von Liebig Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Antje Dickmanns
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, Justus von Liebig Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Natalie Heinen
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | - Claudia Blaurock
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Tim Karrasch
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, Justus von Liebig Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Angele Breithaupt
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Nadja Uhlig
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Valentina Eberlein
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Leila Issmail
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simon T Herrmann
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Balal Sadeghi
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Alexander Riek
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Celle, Germany
| | - John R Speakman
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK
| | - Uwe Groß
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Görlich
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Thorsten Müller
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.,Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), Organoid laboratory, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Grunwald
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephanie Pfaender
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | - Anne Balkema-Buschmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Matthias Dobbelstein
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, Justus von Liebig Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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Masyeni S, Iqhrammullah M, Frediansyah A, Nainu F, Tallei T, Emran TB, Ophinni Y, Dhama K, Harapan H. Molnupiravir: a lethal mutagenic drug against rapidly mutating SARS-CoV-2 - A narrative review. J Med Virol 2022; 94:3006-3016. [PMID: 35315098 PMCID: PMC9088670 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Broad‐spectrum antiviral agents targeting viral RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) are expected to be a key therapeutic strategy in the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and its future variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the virus that causes COVID‐19. Molnupiravir is a nucleoside analog that in vivo experiments have been reported to inhibit the replication of SARS‐CoV‐2, the virus that causes COVID‐19. Clinical trials of molnupiravir as a therapy for patients with mild‐to‐moderate COVID‐19 also suggest its significant therapeutic efficacy in comparison to placebo. Molnupiravir is lethally mutagenic against viral RNA, but its effect on host cell DNA is being questioned. Herein, the safety concerns of molnupiravir are discussed with recent findings from published reports and clinical trials. The unchanged efficacy of molnupiravir against mutated SARS‐CoV‐2 variants is also highlighted. With its administration via the oral route, molnupiravir is expected to turn the tide of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sri Masyeni
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Universitas Warmadewa, Denpasar, Bali, 80235, Indonesia.,Department of Internal Medicine, Sanjiwani Hospital, Gianyar, Bali, 80235, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Iqhrammullah
- Graduate School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Andri Frediansyah
- National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Wonosari, 55861, Indonesia.,Research Division for Natural Product Technology (BPTBA), Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Wonosari, 55861, Indonesia.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Firzan Nainu
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, 90245, Indonesia
| | - Trina Tallei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado, 95115, Indonesia.,The University Centre of Excellence for Biotechnology and Conservation of Wallacea, Institute for Research and Community Services, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado, 95115, Indonesia
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong, 4381, Bangladesh
| | - Youdiil Ophinni
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, 02139, United States.,Laboratory of Host Defense, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0874, Japan
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India
| | - Harapan Harapan
- Medical Research Unit, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia.,Tropical Disease Centre, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia.,Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda, Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
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9
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Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19, first detected in Wuhan, China, has evolved into a lifethreatening pandemic spread across six continents, with the global case count being more than 243 million, and mortality over 4.95 million, along with causing significant morbidity. It has initiated an era of research on repurposed drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, corticosteroids, remedesivir, ivermectin, alongside selective antivirals to treat or prevent COVID- 19. Molnupiravir is an orally available emerging antiviral drug considered highly promising for COVID-19. METHODS AND RESULTS We have performed a scoping review for the use of molnupiravir against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. It acts by inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Preclinical studies have evaluated the therapeutic efficacy as well as prophylactic activity of molnupiravir against SARS CoV-2 in various animal models that include ferrets, hamsters, mice, immunodeficient mice implanted with human lung tissue and cell cultures, in various doses ranging from 5-300 mg/kg, and results have been encouraging. Initial evidence of safety and efficacy from early phase clinical studies has been encouraging too, and recent results from a large phase 3 global trial have shown significant benefits among symptomatic outpatients. Other late-phase clinical trials are still underway with the aim of establishing molnulpiravir as a therapeutic option for COVID-19, particularly for non-hospitalized patients. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE On the basis of the limited evidence available as of now, molnupiravir could prove to be a promising oral therapy, worthy of further exploration of its utility for both treatment and prevention of COVID-19 in humans. Elaborate clinical evaluation is further warranted to confirm whether the results are replicable to the clinical scenario among outpatients to reduce the chance of progression to more severe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Kaore
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India
| | - Shubham Atal
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India
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10
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Singla S, Goyal S. Antiviral activity of molnupiravir against COVID-19: a schematic review of evidences. Bull Natl Res Cent 2022; 46:62. [PMID: 35287311 PMCID: PMC8907909 DOI: 10.1186/s42269-022-00753-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study was aimed at encapsulating the evidence of in vitro and in vivo antiviral activities of molnupiravir and its active form against highly pathogenic SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen responsible for COVID-19, and finding out the efficacy and safety of molnupiravir in clinical trials. MAIN BODY Information on publications was explored on several databases, gray literature was reviewed, and the outcomes were discussed narratively. Molnupiravir's antiviral efficacy and associated mechanism of action have been verified in vitro against both non-COVID and multiple coronaviruses. Molnupiravir has been tried in preclinical investigations in numerous animal models against non-coronaviruses. Clinical studies in several countries are now being conducted to evaluate its antiviral efficacy in persons infected with COVID-19. The medication displays antiviral effect via generation of copying mistakes during viral RNA replication. CONCLUSIONS Molnupiravir is the first oral antiviral medicine to show considerable and convincing antiviral activity in vitro and in animal models. Molnupiravir stops the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in animals that have been infected and in cells grown in a lab. In a clinical research, early molnupiravir treatment reduced hospitalization and death risk in unvaccinated individuals with COVID-19. In the battle against SARS-CoV-2, it could be a potent weapon. However, its role in COVID-19 in moderate to severe cases is still up in the air, and more research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivali Singla
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Abhilashi University, Chail Chowk, HP 175028 India
| | - Sachin Goyal
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Abhilashi University, Chail Chowk, HP 175028 India
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Pourkarim F, Pourtaghi‐Anvarian S, Rezaee H. Molnupiravir: A new candidate for COVID-19 treatment. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2021; 10:e00909. [PMID: 34968008 PMCID: PMC8929331 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) emerged in late December 2019 in china and has rapidly spread to many countries around the world. The effective pharmacotherapy can reduce the mortality of COVID‐19. Antiviral medications are the candidate therapies for the management of COVID‐19. Molnupiravir is an antiviral drug with anti‐RNA polymerase activity and currently is under investigation for the treatment of patients with COVID‐19. This review focuses on summarizing published literature for the mechanism of action, safety, efficacy, and clinical trials of molnupiravir in the treatment of COVID‐19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Pourkarim
- Student Research CommitteeFaculty of PharmacyTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
- Department of Clinical PharmacyFaculty of PharmacyTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Samira Pourtaghi‐Anvarian
- Student Research CommitteeFaculty of PharmacyTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
- Department of Clinical PharmacyFaculty of PharmacyTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Haleh Rezaee
- Department of Clinical PharmacyFaculty of PharmacyTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research CenterTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
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12
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Molnupiravir is a newer oral antiviral drug that has recently been tested in COVID-19. We aim to conduct a systematic review of literature to find out the efficacy and safety of molnupiravir in patients with COVID-19. METHODS We systematically searched the electronic database of PubMed, MedRxiv and Google Scholar from inception until October 15, 2021, using MeSH keywords. Ongoing trials of molnupiravir in COVID-19 were additionally searched from the ClinicalTrials.Gov and ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials. We retrieved all the available granular details of phase 1 to 3 studies of molnupiravir in COVID-19. Subsequently we reviewed the results narratively. RESULTS Two phase 1 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled (DBRPC) studies of molnupiravir showed that 1600 mg daily dose is safe and tolerable, without any serious adverse events up to 5.5 days. One phase 2 DBPRC study found significantly lower time to clearance (RNA negativity) with molnupiravir 800 mg twice daily compared to the placebo (log-rank p value = 0.013) in mild to moderate COVID-19. Interim report of one phase 3 DBRPC study in non-hospitalized COVID-19 found a significant reduction in the risk of hospital admission or death by 50% (p = 0.0012). However, no significant benefit was observed with molnupiravir in the later stage of moderate to severe COVID-19. CONCLUSION Molnupiravir is first oral antiviral drug to demonstrate a significant benefit in reducing hospitalization or death in mild COVID-19 and could be an important weapon in the battle against SARS-CoV-2. However, its role in moderate to severe COVID-19 is questionable and more studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Akriti Singh
- Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College & Hospital, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | - Ritu Singh
- G. D Hospital & Diabetes Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Anoop Misra
- Fortis C-DOC Hospital for Diabetes & Allied Sciences, New Delhi, India; National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation, New Delhi, India; Diabetes Foundation (India), New Delhi, India
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Qin Z, Dong B, Wang R, Huang D, Wang J, Feng X, Bian J, Li Z. Preparing anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent EIDD-2801 by a practical and scalable approach, and quick evaluation via machine learning. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:3678-3682. [PMID: 34703727 PMCID: PMC8529884 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
EIDD-2801 is an orally bioavailable prodrug, which will be applied for emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of COVID-19. To investigate the optimal parameters, EIDD-2801 was optimized via a four-step synthesis with high purity of 99.9%. The hydroxylamination procedure was telescoped in a one-pot and the final step was precisely controlled on reagents, temperature and reaction time. Compared to the original route, the yield of the new route was enhanced from 17% to 58% without column chromatography. The optimized synthesis has been successfully determinated on a decagram scale: the first step at 200 g and the final step at 20 g. Besides, the relationship between yield and temperature, time, and reagents in the deprotection step was investigated via Shapley value explanation and machine learning approach-decision tree method. The results revealed that reagents have the greatest impact on yield estimation, followed by the temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Qin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, China
| | - Bin Dong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, China
| | - Renbing Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, China
| | - Dechun Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, China
| | - Jubo Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, China
| | - Xi Feng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, China
| | - Jinlei Bian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, China
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Imran M, Kumar Arora M, Asdaq SMB, Khan SA, Alaqel SI, Alshammari MK, Alshehri MM, Alshrari AS, Mateq Ali A, Al-Shammeri AM, Alhazmi BD, Harshan AA, Alam MT, Abida. Discovery, Development, and Patent Trends on Molnupiravir: A Prospective Oral Treatment for COVID-19. Molecules 2021; 26:5795. [PMID: 34641339 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic needs no introduction at present. Only a few treatments are available for this disease, including remdesivir and favipiravir. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical industry is striving to develop new treatments for COVID-19. Molnupiravir, an orally active RdRp inhibitor, is in a phase 3 clinical trial against COVID-19. The objective of this review article is to enlighten the researchers working on COVID-19 about the discovery, recent developments, and patents related to molnupiravir. Molnupiravir was originally developed for the treatment of influenza at Emory University, USA. However, this drug has also demonstrated activity against a variety of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Now it is being jointly developed by Emory University, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, and Merck to treat COVID-19. The published clinical data indicate a good safety profile, tolerability, and oral bioavailability of molnupiravir in humans. The patient-compliant oral dosage form of molnupiravir may hit the market in the first or second quarter of 2022. The patent data of molnupiravir revealed its granted compound patent and process-related patent applications. We also anticipate patent filing related to oral dosage forms, inhalers, and a combination of molnupiravir with marketed drugs like remdesivir, favipiravir, and baricitinib. The current pandemic demands a patient compliant, safe, tolerable, and orally effective COVID-19 treatment. The authors believe that molnupiravir meets these requirements and is a breakthrough COVID-19 treatment.
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Al-Horani RA, Kar S. Potential Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutics That Target the Post-Entry Stages of the Viral Life Cycle: A Comprehensive Review. Viruses 2020; 12:E1092. [PMID: 32993173 PMCID: PMC7600245 DOI: 10.3390/v12101092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to challenge health care systems around the world. Scientists and pharmaceutical companies have promptly responded by advancing potential therapeutics into clinical trials at an exponential rate. Initial encouraging results have been realized using remdesivir and dexamethasone. Yet, the research continues so as to identify better clinically relevant therapeutics that act either as prophylactics to prevent the infection or as treatments to limit the severity of COVID-19 and substantially decrease the mortality rate. Previously, we reviewed the potential therapeutics in clinical trials that block the early stage of the viral life cycle. In this review, we summarize potential anti-COVID-19 therapeutics that block/inhibit the post-entry stages of the viral life cycle. The review presents not only the chemical structures and mechanisms of the potential therapeutics under clinical investigation, i.e., listed in clinicaltrials.gov, but it also describes the relevant results of clinical trials. Their anti-inflammatory/immune-modulatory effects are also described. The reviewed therapeutics include small molecules, polypeptides, and monoclonal antibodies. At the molecular level, the therapeutics target viral proteins or processes that facilitate the post-entry stages of the viral infection. Frequent targets are the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and the viral proteases such as papain-like protease (PLpro) and main protease (Mpro). Overall, we aim at presenting up-to-date details of anti-COVID-19 therapeutics so as to catalyze their potential effective use in fighting the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami A. Al-Horani
- Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA;
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16
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Andreou A, Trantza S, Filippou D, Sipsas N, Tsiodras S. COVID-19: The Potential Role of Copper and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in a Combination of Candidate Antiviral Treatments Against SARS-CoV-2. In Vivo 2020; 34:1567-1588. [PMID: 32503814 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a pandemic. Since then, thousands of people have suffered and died, making the need for a treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) more crucial than ever. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors carried out a search in PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov and New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) for COVID-19 to provide information on the most promising treatments against SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS Possible COVID-19 agents with promising efficacy and favorable safety profile were identified. The results support the combination of copper, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), colchicine and nitric oxide (NO) with candidate antiviral agents, remdesivir or EIDD-2801, as a treatment for patients positive for SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION The authors propose to study the effects of the combination of copper, NAC, colchicine, NO and currently used experimental antiviral agents, remdesivir or EIDD-2801, as a potential treatment scheme for SARS-COV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andri Andreou
- Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Demetrios Filippou
- National Organization for Medicines, Athens, Greece.,Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Sipsas
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sotirios Tsiodras
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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