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Review
. 2020 Nov 17:7:606393.
doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.606393. eCollection 2020.

Combating the Pandemic COVID-19: Clinical Trials, Therapies and Perspectives

Sabna Kotta  1 , Hibah Mubarak Aldawsari  1 , Shaimaa M Badr-Eldin  1   2 , Nabil Abdulhafiz Alhakamy  1 , Shadab Md  1 , Anroop B Nair  3 , Pran Kishore Deb  4
Affiliations
Review

Combating the Pandemic COVID-19: Clinical Trials, Therapies and Perspectives

Sabna Kotta et al. Front Mol Biosci. .

Abstract

The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is caused due to the infection by a unique single stranded enveloped RNA virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The COVID-19 has claimed many lives around the globe, and a promising solution to end this pandemic is still awaited. Till date neither an exact antiviral drug nor a vaccine is available in the market for public use to cure or control this pandemic. Repurposed drugs and supportive measures are the only available treatment options. This systematic review focuses on different treatment strategies based on various clinical studies. The review discusses all the current treatment plans and probable future strategies obtained as a result of a systematic search in PubMed and Science Direct database. All the possible options for the treatment as well as prophylaxis of COVID-19 are discussed. Apart from this, the article provides details on the clinical trials related to COVID-19, which are registered under ClinicalTrials.gov. Potential of drugs based on the previous researches on SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, Ebola, influenza, etc. which fall under the same category of coronavirus are also emphasized. Information on cell-based and immunology-based approaches is also provided. In addition, miscellaneous therapeutic approaches and adjunctive therapies are discussed. The drug repurposing options, as evidenced from various in vitro and in silico models, are also covered including the possible future solutions to this pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; convalescent plasma therapy; drug repurposing; vaccine.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Replication of SARS-CoV-2 and possible drug targets.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Illustration of COVID-19 infection and its effect on the lungs. After SARS-CoV-2 infection, macrophages are released which subsequently causes cytokine release (cytokine storm). Further recruitment of neutrophills results in the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for destroying the infected cells. Further, fluid filling into the interstitial space and alveoli occurs.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Therapeutic approaches against COVID-19.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Schematic representation of the convalescent plasma therapy along with its mechanisms of action. A person recovered from COVID-19 infection produces a sufficient amount of specific antibodies in 12–14 days. The plasma with neutralizing antibodies mainly IgM and IgG can be transferred to produce immediate immunity in suspected or infected persons. IgG and IgM anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies will bind to specific sites and neutralize the virus.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Some of the ongoing vaccine trials in lead which are specific to COVID-19.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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