PNAS lactoferrin can kill SARS-CoV2 in cells

This research was recently published in the Proceedings of The National Academy of Science and uses artificial intelligence technology to perform image analysis on human cell lines during infection with the new coronavirus

"Traditionally, the drug development process takes 10 years - and we don't have 10 years," said Dr.

The team validated 17 candidate compounds in several types of cells, including stem cell-derived human lung cells, in an attempt to mimic SARS-CoV2 infection in the respiratory tract

Sexton said: "We found that lactoferrin has a significant effect in preventing infections, which is more effective than any other substance we have observed

The team soon began clinical trials of the compound to test its ability to reduce the viral load and inflammation in patients infected with SARS-CoV2

These trials are new elements of ongoing research on promising alternative drugs

"But for some drugs, there is a consensus that these drugs have the highest priority in clinical translation

Surprising discoveries about certain drugs and COVID

It is worth noting that the UM study also found a class of compounds called MEK inhibitors, which are commonly used to treat cancer, but seem to aggravate SARS-CoV2 infection

"Because of the reduced immune response, people receiving chemotherapy are already at risk

He pointed out that the next step is to use electronic health records to see if patients using these drugs will have worse COVID-19 results

Carmen Mirabelli, Jesse W.