Breaking Barriers: Current Advances and Future Directions in Mpox Therapy

Abstract

Background: Mpox, a newly discovered zoonotic infection, can be transmitted from animal to human and between humans. Serological and genomic studies are used to identify the virus. Objective: Currently, there are no proven effective treatments for Mpox. Also, the safety and efficacy of intravenous vaccinia immune globulin, oral Tecovirimat (an inhibitor of intracellular viral release), and oral Brincidofovir (a DNA polymerase inhibitor) against the Mpox virus are uncertain, highlighting the need for more effective and safe treatments. As a result, drug repurposing has emerged as a promising strategy to identify previously licensed drugs that can be repurposed to treat Mpox. Results: Various approaches have been employed to identify previously approved drugs that can target specific Mpox virus proteins, including thymidylate kinase, D9 decapping enzyme, E8 protein, Topoisomerase1, p37, envelope proteins (D13, A26, and H3), F13 protein, virus's main cysteine proteases, and DNA polymerase. Conclusion: In this summary, we provide an overview of potential drugs that could be used to treat Mpox and discuss the underlying biological processes of their actions.