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Repurposing functional inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase (fiasmas): an opportunity against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection?
Author(s) -
Le Corre Pascal,
Loas Gwenolé
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/jcpt.13390
Subject(s) - repurposing , covid-19 , drug repositioning , acid sphingomyelinase , pharmacology , virology , sphingomyelin , medicine , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , drug , infectious disease (medical specialty) , membrane , ecology , disease , outbreak
What is known and objective Infection by SARS‐CoV‐2, the virus responsible of COVID‐19, is associated with limited treatment options. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rationale for repurposing functional inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs), several of which are approved medicines, for the treatment of SAR‐CoV‐2 infections. Comment We propose and discuss the FIASMAs’ lysosomotropism as a possible explanation for their observed in vitro activities against viruses, and more specifically against infections caused by coronaviruses such as SARS‐CoV‐2. Successful in vitro‐to‐in vivo translation of FIASMAs requires that their pharmacokinetics (dosing regimen and drug‐drug interactions) are matched with viral kinetics. What is new and conclusion Drug repurposing to ensure rapid patient access to effective treatment has garnered much attention in this era of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The observed lysosomotropic activity of small‐molecule FIASMA compounds suggests that their repurposing as potential drugs against SARS‐CoV‐2 is promising.