A team of scientists at the University of Georgia has developed a promising new drug that may one day make treating shingles and herpes easier, safer, and more effective.
The discovery offers fresh hope for millions of people around the world who experience painful outbreaks caused by these common viruses. The research was published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, called the varicella zoster virus. Most people catch chickenpox during childhood. After the illness goes away, the virus does not completely leave the body.
Instead, it stays hidden inside nerve cells for many years. As people grow older, or when their immune system becomes weaker, the virus can become active again. When this happens, it causes shingles, a painful illness that often leads to a blistering skin rash, burning pain, itching, and nerve pain that can continue for months after the rash disappears.
Herpes simplex viruses are different but closely related viruses. Herpes simplex virus type 1 usually causes cold sores around the mouth, while herpes simplex virus type 2 is the main cause of genital herpes. These viruses also remain in the body for life and can become active again from time to time, leading to repeated outbreaks.
Current antiviral medicines can reduce symptoms and shorten outbreaks, but they are not perfect. Some medicines may cause unwanted side effects. Others may not work as well because some viruses have become resistant to treatment. Scientists have therefore been searching for new medicines that are stronger, safer, and easier to use.
Researchers David Chu and Uma Singh have now created and patented a new molecule called POM-L-BHDU. Early studies suggest it could become an important new treatment for shingles, chickenpox, and both forms of herpes.
One of the biggest advantages of the new medicine is its flexibility. It can be given by mouth, through an injection into a vein, or applied directly to the skin as a cream. A skin cream could be especially useful because people might be able to treat outbreaks at home without needing hospital care.
In laboratory studies and animal experiments, POM-L-BHDU performed better than several medicines currently used to fight these viruses.
When applied as a cream, it helped stop the virus from spreading to nearby areas of the skin. Because only a small amount of the medicine entered the bloodstream, the treatment also appeared less likely to cause side effects throughout the body.
The researchers were also excited to find that the molecule worked against more than one virus. Besides fighting the varicella zoster virus, it also showed activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. This means one medicine could eventually help treat several common viral infections instead of just one.
The scientists hope that, if future studies continue to show good results, a cream containing this medicine could eventually become available without a prescription. This could allow people to begin treatment as soon as symptoms appear, helping reduce pain and shorten outbreaks more quickly.
So far, the new medicine has successfully completed laboratory testing, animal studies, and tests using human skin samples in the laboratory. These results are encouraging, but much more research is still needed. The next important step is human clinical trials, where researchers will carefully study whether the medicine is safe and effective for people.
The University of Georgia Research Foundation has licensed the technology to Anterogen Co., which will help develop the medicine for future clinical use. Although it may still take years before the treatment reaches pharmacies, the discovery represents an important step forward.
If future clinical trials are successful, this new medicine could provide millions of people with a better way to manage shingles, cold sores, and genital herpes while reducing pain, limiting outbreaks, and improving quality of life.
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