Nowadays 'prevention is better than cure' has become a famous phrase. Looking at the global scenario of corona infection, we surely know the importance of prevention and prophylactic techniques but what about the cure? As the patients are increasing worldwide it's equally important to treat them. Of Course, there are WHO guidelines for patient management but those are symptom-specific measures; there is no definitive treatment against the novel corona virus (SARS CoV-2).
In the view of huge mortality and morbidity due to COVID-19, research and clinical trials are booming up with respect to the new effective compounds, antivirals, combination therapies, etc.
New drug development is very costly and highly time-consuming process. The compound has to undergo many stages before it comes to the market which includes pre-clinical studies, 3 phases of clinical trials, FDA approval. The whole R&D process easily takes 12 years and millions of dollars.
One promising approach to fast track the situation is 'repositioning/repurposing of drugs'. This simply means the reuse of already licensed drugs for new medical conditions. As the drug is already in use (for another illness), its side effects, pharmacological properties have been studied before. However, FDA approval has to be taken for use in new disease conditions.
Antimalarial drug Chloroquine is currently in limelight for its possible use in COVID-19 prevention. Since the 1950's it has been introduced in the clinical practice and widely used as a first-line treatment in malaria. Chloroquine (CQ) interferes with the malaria parasite metabolism and kills it. In case of SARS CoV-2, it seems to affect the entry of viruses in the host cell and ultimately slows down the rate of replication. Also, it helps to modulate severe immune reactions which otherwise can lead to organ failure. So it may not achieve the killing effect but can still cripple the virus and will be useful in flattening the infection curve.
Scientists are very positive about the use of CQ in control of current pandemic based on their research on other corona viruses. Whereas it still has to undergo many safety and efficacy checkpoints for its use in COVID-19 control.
Several clinical trials are going on in various countries including China, France, US, Norway, etc. Something will definitely come out of the turmoil. Let's hold on to this glimmer of hope!
New drug development is very costly and highly time-consuming process. The compound has to undergo many stages before it comes to the market which includes pre-clinical studies, 3 phases of clinical trials, FDA approval. The whole R&D process easily takes 12 years and millions of dollars.
One promising approach to fast track the situation is 'repositioning/repurposing of drugs'. This simply means the reuse of already licensed drugs for new medical conditions. As the drug is already in use (for another illness), its side effects, pharmacological properties have been studied before. However, FDA approval has to be taken for use in new disease conditions.
Antimalarial drug Chloroquine is currently in limelight for its possible use in COVID-19 prevention. Since the 1950's it has been introduced in the clinical practice and widely used as a first-line treatment in malaria. Chloroquine (CQ) interferes with the malaria parasite metabolism and kills it. In case of SARS CoV-2, it seems to affect the entry of viruses in the host cell and ultimately slows down the rate of replication. Also, it helps to modulate severe immune reactions which otherwise can lead to organ failure. So it may not achieve the killing effect but can still cripple the virus and will be useful in flattening the infection curve.
Scientists are very positive about the use of CQ in control of current pandemic based on their research on other corona viruses. Whereas it still has to undergo many safety and efficacy checkpoints for its use in COVID-19 control.
Several clinical trials are going on in various countries including China, France, US, Norway, etc. Something will definitely come out of the turmoil. Let's hold on to this glimmer of hope!
©Vrushali Pathak (Ph.D.)
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