Anti-HCV antiviral therapies as an alternative for the treatment of Covid-19

Abstract

The current pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread alarmingly around the world at a significantly faster speed than previous coronaviral outbreaks. Due to the lack of a vaccine at the moment, an early antiviral intervention can prevent the spread of the disease worldwide and improve the clinical results of infected patients. The SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have a similar structure, replication, and catalytic mechanisms, therefore, several studies have considered the potential for antiviral activity of anti-HCV drugs such as remdesivir, simeprevir, sofosbuvir, and daclatasvir against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate and discuss the antivirals already available against HCV, which have also been shown to be potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication. The study was based on a literature review, of a qualitative nature and an exploratory type. Studies with anti-HCV drugs are promising and are already considered to start clinical trials in patients infected with the new coronavirus, having been observed as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. Thus, the present study brings a pharmaco-clinical review on antivirals remdesivir, simeprevir, sofosbuvir, and daclatasvir, considering the main studies carried out to date in the treatment for Covid-19.