US RESEARCHERS FIND DRUG THAT BLOCKS SEVERE COVID 19 SYMPTOMS

US RESEARCHERS FIND DRUG THAT BLOCKS SEVERE COVID 19 SYMPTOMS

Subject: Science & tech

Context: Researchers in the US have discovered a drug that could potentially be a game-changing tool in treating COVID-19 patients, including variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Concept :

• A team led by University of Pennsylvania developed the drug diABZI, which activated the body’s innate immune response and effectively prevented severe Covid-19 symptoms, including those from the South African variant (B1351) and also curbed their spread in mice, the scie
• Tests on mice, infected with Covid-19 showed that diABZI potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection of diverse strains, including variant of concern B1351, by activating STING.
• In addition, diABZI could also inhibit human parainfluenza virus and rhinovirus replication in cultured cells.
• Thus, the STING agonist may be more broadly effective against other respiratory viruses, the researchers said.

STING Agonist

• STimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) is a master regulator of type I interferons and a key mediator of innate immunity. Activation of STING provides two critical anti-tumor responses:
• The “spark” for initiating a robust innate immune response.
• Priming and activation of a potent T cell mediated anti-tumor adaptive response.