Table 1 Potential therapeutic agents for COVID-19
Drug/agents | Evidence level | Mechanisms | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
Serine protease TMPRSS2 | cell | binds the viral spike (S) protein, leading to S protein priming by host cell protease via receptor ACE2 | [60] |
Serotonin receptor antagonist cinanserin | cell | inhibits the 3 chymotrypsin-like (3C-like) protease | [61] |
S protein-angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) blockers | cell | blocks the binding of S protein to ACE2 | [4] |
Antimalarial chloroquine | clinical use | inhibits the fusion between viral envelope and endosomal/lysosomal membranes | [62] |
Protease inhibitors lopinavir/ritonavir (HIV protease inhibitors) | clinical use | may possibly inhibit SARS-CoV-2 protease | [63] |
Antiviral ribavirin | cell | may modulate host immunity and/or cause RNA replication catastrophe | [64] |
Protease inhibitors nelfinavir | cell | a selective post-translational inhibitor | [65] |
Nucleotide analog prodrug remdesivir | cell and clinical use (first case of COVID-19 in the United States) | possible inhibitor of RNA replication | |
Indole-derivative molecule arbidol | cell | Inhibits fusion between viral envelope and cellular membranes | [68] |
Immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine A | cell | block replication via inhibition of nucleocapsid protein | [69] |
Monoclonal antibody CR3022 | cell and clinical use | potently binds the receptor binding domain of S protein | [70] |
Monoclonal antibody single-chain variable region fragments, scFv, 80R | cell | acts against the S1 domain of S protein | [71] |
Monoclonal antibody CR3014 | cell | neutralization of viral infectivity | [72] |
Immunotherapeutic potential convalescent plasma | cell and clinical use | neutralization of viral infectivity | |
Interferons IFN-α and IFN-β | cell | induction of interferon-stimulated genes to suppress viral replication | |
Cytokine blocker cytokine IL-37 | cell | inhibits inflammation, by acting on mTOR and increasing the activity of adenosine monophosphate kinase | [77] |
Cytokine blocker Lianhuaqingwen | cell | anti-inflammation; inhibits IL-6 receptor | [78] |
Cytokine blocker antibody against IL-6 receptor | Clinical use | anti-inflammation; inhibits IL-6 receptor | Â |