COVID-19: A review of therapeutic strategies and vaccine candidates

Abstract

The world is engulfed by one of the most widespread and significant public health crises in decades as COVID-19 has become among the leading causes of death internationally. The novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus which causes COVID-19 has unified the scientific community in search of therapeutic and preventative solutions. The top priorities at the moment are twofold: first, to repurpose already-approved pharmacologic agents or develop novel therapies to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the ever-spreading virus. Secondly, the scientific and larger pharmaceutical community have been tasked with the development, testing, and production of a safe and effective vaccine as a longer-term solution to prevent further spread and recurrence throughout the populace. The purpose of this article is to review the most up-to-date published data regarding both the leading pharmacological therapies undergoing clinical trials and vaccine candidates in development to stem the threat of COVID-19.

Long-term antibody-response monitoring following primary exposure to SARS-COV-2 and afterward mRNA COVID-19 vaccination: A case report

“…Figure 1. The presented data generally agree with those reported in literature on both, antibody levels and duration of their presence in human plasma [6][7][8][9][10]12 .…”

“…Finally, numerous safe, well tolerated and immunogenic COVID-19 vaccines have been developed. Thus, nowadays different vaccines are already certified or progressing during phase-3-trials 10,11 . Although researchers are not absolutely sure whether the infection itself or the use of vaccines generates a more powerful antibody-response, one fact is undoubtedly evidentthe use of vaccine is much safer 7,10,11 .…”

Acquisition of the L452R mutation in the ACE2-binding interface of Spike protein triggers recent massive expansion of SARS-Cov-2 variants

“…The recent emergence of mutational variants of SARS-CoV-2 (nCoV) around the globe suggests adaptive evolution of the virus, potentially affecting its transmissibility, infectivity, virulence and/or immune escape [1–4]. The primary target of current vaccines and monoclonal antibodies is the Spike protein which mediates viral attachment to and entry into host cells [5, 6]. Thus, emergence of variants with mutations in the Spike protein are of particular interest due to their potential for reduced susceptibility to neutralizing antibodies elicited by vaccination or prior infection.…”

LipoParticles: Lipid-Coated PLA Nanoparticles Enhanced In Vitro mRNA Transfection Compared to Liposomes

“…Recently, mRNA-based vaccines have attracted a lot of attention. Two mRNA vaccines, namely BNT162b2 (developed by Pfizer, New York, NY, USA, in collaboration with BioNtech, Mayence, Germany) and mRNA-1273 (from Moderna, Cambridge, MA, USA, in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA), reached Phase 3 clinical trial and were authorized for emergency use against SARS-CoV-2 infection by health authorities [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Their complete approval would make them the world’s first mRNA-based vaccines authorized for use on humans.…”