Navigating the Complex Landscape of Ebola Infection Treatment: A Review of Emerging Pharmacological Approaches
Abstract In 1976 Ebola revealed itself to the world, marking the beginning of a series of localized outbreaks. However, it was the Ebola outbreak that began in 2013 that incited fear and anxiety around the globe. Since then, our comprehension of the virus has been steadily expanding. Ebola virus (EB...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Adis, Springer Healthcare
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Infectious Diseases and Therapy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-023-00913-y |
| _version_ | 1797273772942688256 |
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| author | Francisca Almeida-Pinto Rui Pinto João Rocha |
| author_facet | Francisca Almeida-Pinto Rui Pinto João Rocha |
| author_sort | Francisca Almeida-Pinto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In 1976 Ebola revealed itself to the world, marking the beginning of a series of localized outbreaks. However, it was the Ebola outbreak that began in 2013 that incited fear and anxiety around the globe. Since then, our comprehension of the virus has been steadily expanding. Ebola virus (EBOV), belonging to the Orthoebolavirus genus of the Filoviridae family, possesses a non-segmented, negative single-stranded RNA genome comprising seven genes that encode multiple proteins. These proteins collectively orchestrate the intricate process of infecting host cells. It is not possible to view each protein as monofunctional. Instead, they synergistically contribute to the pathogenicity of the virus. Understanding this multifaceted replication cycle is crucial for the development of effective antiviral strategies. Currently, two antibody-based therapeutics have received approval for treating Ebola virus disease (EVD). In 2022, the first evidence-based clinical practice guideline dedicated to specific therapies for EVD was published. Although notable progress has been made in recent years, deaths still occur. Consequently, there is an urgent need to enhance the therapeutic options available to improve the outcomes of the disease. Emerging therapeutics can target viral proteins as direct-acting antivirals or host factors as host-directed antivirals. They both have advantages and disadvantages. One way to bypass some disadvantages is to repurpose already approved drugs for non-EVD indications to treat EVD. This review offers detailed insight into the role of each viral protein in the replication cycle of the virus, as understanding how the virus interacts with host cells is critical to understanding how emerging therapeutics exert their activity. Using this knowledge, this review delves into the intricate mechanisms of action of current and emerging therapeutics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:48:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cfe53cc1ea874fc8867a85ee442f51f6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2193-8229 2193-6382 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:48:59Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Adis, Springer Healthcare |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Infectious Diseases and Therapy |
| spelling | doaj.art-cfe53cc1ea874fc8867a85ee442f51f62024-03-05T19:49:42ZengAdis, Springer HealthcareInfectious Diseases and Therapy2193-82292193-63822024-01-01131215510.1007/s40121-023-00913-yNavigating the Complex Landscape of Ebola Infection Treatment: A Review of Emerging Pharmacological ApproachesFrancisca Almeida-Pinto0Rui Pinto1João Rocha2Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de LisboaFaculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de LisboaFaculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de LisboaAbstract In 1976 Ebola revealed itself to the world, marking the beginning of a series of localized outbreaks. However, it was the Ebola outbreak that began in 2013 that incited fear and anxiety around the globe. Since then, our comprehension of the virus has been steadily expanding. Ebola virus (EBOV), belonging to the Orthoebolavirus genus of the Filoviridae family, possesses a non-segmented, negative single-stranded RNA genome comprising seven genes that encode multiple proteins. These proteins collectively orchestrate the intricate process of infecting host cells. It is not possible to view each protein as monofunctional. Instead, they synergistically contribute to the pathogenicity of the virus. Understanding this multifaceted replication cycle is crucial for the development of effective antiviral strategies. Currently, two antibody-based therapeutics have received approval for treating Ebola virus disease (EVD). In 2022, the first evidence-based clinical practice guideline dedicated to specific therapies for EVD was published. Although notable progress has been made in recent years, deaths still occur. Consequently, there is an urgent need to enhance the therapeutic options available to improve the outcomes of the disease. Emerging therapeutics can target viral proteins as direct-acting antivirals or host factors as host-directed antivirals. They both have advantages and disadvantages. One way to bypass some disadvantages is to repurpose already approved drugs for non-EVD indications to treat EVD. This review offers detailed insight into the role of each viral protein in the replication cycle of the virus, as understanding how the virus interacts with host cells is critical to understanding how emerging therapeutics exert their activity. Using this knowledge, this review delves into the intricate mechanisms of action of current and emerging therapeutics.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-023-00913-yEBOVEmerging therapeuticsEVDMechanism of actionPharmacologyReplication cycle |
| spellingShingle | Francisca Almeida-Pinto Rui Pinto João Rocha Navigating the Complex Landscape of Ebola Infection Treatment: A Review of Emerging Pharmacological Approaches Infectious Diseases and Therapy EBOV Emerging therapeutics EVD Mechanism of action Pharmacology Replication cycle |
| title | Navigating the Complex Landscape of Ebola Infection Treatment: A Review of Emerging Pharmacological Approaches |
| title_full | Navigating the Complex Landscape of Ebola Infection Treatment: A Review of Emerging Pharmacological Approaches |
| title_fullStr | Navigating the Complex Landscape of Ebola Infection Treatment: A Review of Emerging Pharmacological Approaches |
| title_full_unstemmed | Navigating the Complex Landscape of Ebola Infection Treatment: A Review of Emerging Pharmacological Approaches |
| title_short | Navigating the Complex Landscape of Ebola Infection Treatment: A Review of Emerging Pharmacological Approaches |
| title_sort | navigating the complex landscape of ebola infection treatment a review of emerging pharmacological approaches |
| topic | EBOV Emerging therapeutics EVD Mechanism of action Pharmacology Replication cycle |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-023-00913-y |
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