Researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against COVID-19.
Their study reveals that compounds known as ‘stapled lipopeptides’ could significantly protect against infection by the virus causing COVID-19.
These findings have been so promising that they have led to the launch of a human clinical trial for a compound developed from this research.
The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, demonstrates the potential of a stapled lipopeptide, a chemically stabilized coronavirus peptide, as a nasal spray.
If successful, this could lead to an entirely new type of drug for preventing or treating COVID-19. The authors of the study believe that these compounds could also be effective against other harmful viruses such as RSV, Ebola, and Nipah.
Loren Walensky, MD, Ph.D., the study’s lead researcher, pointed out the limitations of current COVID-19 treatments, including vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.
The rapidly evolving virus and emergence of new variants have decreased the effectiveness of these immune-based approaches.
Walensky, a physician and principal investigator at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, highlights the need for fast-acting, easy-to-administer, and resistant-proof agents for both pre- and post-exposure to the virus.
The research, a collaboration between Dana-Farber and Boston University’s National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), brings a new perspective to the fight against COVID-19.
Unlike mRNA vaccines, which rely on the immune system and require periodic updates due to viral mutation, stapled lipopeptides act directly on the virus, disrupting its ability to infect healthy cells.
This direct approach is particularly promising for people with weakened immune systems.
Stapled peptides, a focus of Walensky’s lab for nearly 20 years, are chemically stabilized peptides linked to a lipid. This unique structure allows the peptide to be highly stable and effective at the site of viral infection.
Their stability is a significant advantage, overcoming challenges like the cold chain requirements of COVID-19 vaccines.
Walensky’s team had previously developed similar peptides targeting HIV and RSV. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, they adapted this technology to target the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Interestingly, the viral sequence targeted by these peptides has remained unchanged between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS1, suggesting a stable target for therapy.
Testing in hamsters showed that the stapled lipopeptide was effective both as a preventive and therapeutic agent against COVID-19.
Animals treated with the inhibitor maintained their weight and showed reduced viral loads in their noses and lungs, indicating protection against severe pneumonia.
In another set of studies, the inhibitors reduced the transmission of the virus between hamsters. The success of these tests in animal models is a strong indicator of the potential effectiveness in humans.
The research suggests that this new approach could fill a critical gap in the current COVID-19 treatment and prevention strategies.
It holds the promise of a simple, accessible preventive measure against COVID-19, particularly beneficial for immunocompromised patients.
As the team notes, the ongoing human trials for the stapled lipopeptide in COVID-19 are a significant step in validating this innovative approach.
This research could revolutionize how we protect ourselves from COVID-19 and other severe respiratory viruses, offering hope of a more straightforward, effective way to prevent infection.
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The research findings can be found in Nature Communications.
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