Remdesivir and chloroquine effectively inhibit the recently emerged novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in vitro

Abstract

As of today, there is no antiviral for the treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the development of a vaccine might take several months or even years. The structural superposition of the hepatitis C virus polymerase bound to sofosbuvir, a nucleoside analog antiviral approved for hepatitis C virus infections, with the SARS-CoV polymerase shows that the residues that bind to the drug are present in the latter. Moreover, a multiple alignment of several SARS-CoV-2, SARS and MERS-related coronaviruses polymerases shows that these residues are conserved in all these viruses, opening the possibility to use sofosbuvir against these highly infectious pathogens.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19): The epidemic and the challenges

“…Preliminary in vivo clinical studies suggest that chloroquine alone or in combination February 20, 2020;7:4 ] with antiretroviral agents might play an interesting role in treating HIV infection [39] . A recent study by Wang et al revealed that remdesivir and chloroquine were highly effective in the control of 2019-nCoV in vitro [37] . In addition to the one case of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia with a promising clinical response to remdesivir [7] and two clinical trials in China, further case-controlled clinical studies of remdesivir therapy are warranted to verify its therapeutic efficacy.…”

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): A primer for emergency physicians

“…82,83 An in vitro study found that remdesivir and chloroquine inhibit viral infection, but further study is required. 84,85 Results from a single study of over 100 COVID-19 patients found chloroquine was superior to control in reducing pneumonia exacerbation, improving imaging findings and virus-negative conversion, and shortening the course of the disease. 86 A study evaluating lopinavir-ritonavir found no improvement in patient survival or differences in detectable viral RNA.…”

Coronavirus 2019-nCoV: A brief perspective from the front line

“…30 , 31 Wang et al showed that RDV could inhibit 2019-nCoV infection in vitro. 32 And the successful use of RDV in the first case of 2019-nCoV in the United States posted the bright perspective. 33 More promisingly, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled phase 3 clinical trial of safety and efficacy of RDV is ongoing in Wuhan (NCT04252664).…”

“…Meanwhile, Wang and his colleagues also provided evidence of the potential that chloroquine was also effective in the control of 2019-nCoV infection. 32 Arbidol has a broad-spectrum antiviral activity against respiratory viruses. Recent news reported that arbidol can inhibit 2019-nCoV in vitro.…”