COVID-19: Drug Targets and Potential Treatments

J Med Chem. 2020 Nov 12;63(21):12359-12386. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00606. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Abstract

Currently, humans are immersed in a pandemic caused by the emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which threatens public health worldwide. To date, no drug or vaccine has been approved to treat the severe disease caused by this coronavirus, COVID-19. In this paper, we will focus on the main virus-based and host-based targets that can guide efforts in medicinal chemistry to discover new drugs for this devastating disease. In principle, all CoV enzymes and proteins involved in viral replication and the control of host cellular machineries are potentially druggable targets in the search for therapeutic options for SARS-CoV-2. This Perspective provides an overview of the main targets from a structural point of view, together with reported therapeutic compounds with activity against SARS-CoV-2 and/or other CoVs. Also, the role of innate immune response to coronavirus infection and the related therapeutic options will be presented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Drug Repositioning
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects
  • SARS-CoV-2 / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors