New COVID-19 therapy approach successfully tested

Despite vaccination, COVID-19 will remain with mankind for even longer and efficient treatment options are still urgently sought. An international research team has now developed a new approach in which nanoparticles and so-called siRNA are used to prevent viruses from multiplying. Initial tests of the method were highly successful.

The team, which includes researchers from Griffith University and Menzies Health Institute Queensland in Brisbane (Australia), has developed a promising siRNA therapy for the treatment of COVID-19, which almost completely eliminated the viral load in initial trials Was able to The results of the related study were published in the journal Expert “Molecular medicine“.

Antiviral treatments are urgently needed

Efficient antiviral therapy against COVID-19 may deprive the virus of its very high potential for risk. However, traditional antivirals such as remadecivir remain effective only to a limited extent and therefore new methods are urgently needed.

Nanoparticles and siRNA

Researchers have now developed a next-generation antiviral approach, known as the “gene-silencing RNA technique”, called cRNA (small-interfering RNA), in which the virus’s genome is directly attacked. Is and is prevented from replication. Special lipid nanoparticles were developed to carry siRNA directly to the critical site of the infection process.

Viral load decreased by 99.9 percent

In studies conducted on cell samples and mice, the new treatment method showed considerable success. “Treatment with virus-specific siRNA reduces viral load by up to 99.9 percent,” reports Professor Nigel Macmillan of the Menzies Health Institute Queensland. “These camouflage nanoparticles can be transported to large numbers of lung cells and silent viral genes,” the expert continues.

Also effective against other coronaviruses

In addition, the “treatment is designed so that it works with all beta coronaviruses such as the original SARS virus (SARS-CoV-1) and SARS-CoV-2 and all new variants that may arise in the future, as it is on Ultra Works .” – targets conserved regions in the virus’s genome, “said Professor Kevin Morris of Griffith University.

Overall, the results indicate that siRNA nanoparticle formulations can be used as an efficient therapy against COVID-19 and that future coronavirus infections can be directly targeted to the virus’s genome, the researchers summarized. Told. Furthermore, “it has been shown that these nanoparticles remain stable for 12 months at 4 ° C and at room temperature for more than a month, which means that this agent is resource-poor for treating infected patients. Can be used well in environments. ” Also relatively inexpensive to produce in large quantities. (Fp)