Antiviral Efficacy of Pralatrexate against SARS-CoV-2
10.4062/biomolther.2021.032
- Author:
Joon-Yong BAE
1
;
Gee Eun LEE
;
Heedo PARK
;
Juyoung CHO
;
Jeonghun KIM
;
Jungmin LEE
;
Kisoon KIM
;
Jin Il KIM
;
Man-Seong PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Microbiology, Institute for Viral Diseases, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Biomolecules & Therapeutics
2021;29(3):268-272
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has caused more than 100 million confirmed cases of human infectious disease (COVID-19) since December 2019 to paralyze our global community. However, only limited access has been allowed to COVID-19 vaccines and antiviral treatment options. Here, we report the efficacy of the anticancer drug pralatrexate against SARS-CoV-2. In Vero and human lung epithelial Calu-3 cells, pralatrexate reduced viral RNA copies of SARS-CoV-2 without detectable cytotoxicity, and viral replication was successfully inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. In a time-to-addition assay, pralatrexate treatment at almost half a day after infection also exhibited inhibitory effects on the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in Calu-3 cells. Taken together, these results suggest the potential of pralatrexate as a drug repurposing COVID-19 remedy.
