Wednesday, April 13, 2022

New COVID-19 nasal spray outperforms current antibody treatments in mice


     Current antibody treatments block SARS-CoV-2 by binding to one of three binding sites on the spike protein. A new protein-based antiviral binds to all three sites on the spike protein, making it more effective than current treatments. The new treatment is also low-cost, easy to manufacture, does not require complicated supply chains with extreme refrigeration and potentially could be self-administered. 

    In this study, researchers at Northwestern University, University of Washington and Washington University at St. Louis developed a new protein-based antiviral nasal spray, which is being advanced toward Phase 1 human clinical trials to treat COVID-19 cases. 

    The spray works by interfering with the virus's ability to enter cells. When the researchers administered the treatment to mice as a nasal spray, they found that the best results of the experiment reduced symptoms of infection, and some even prevented the infection altogether. This could be the start of effective treatment for COVID-19, and possibly aid to end the pandemic.

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2 comments:

  1. in 2020 journal science, SARS-CoV-2 is a spike protein, and it has its own binding materials. As the virus has mutated to create newer variants (they mutate because as a virus replicates itself, it undergoes "copying errors) treatments has became less effective to fight back this virus, especially with the antibody treatment has failed against BA.2 Omicron subvariant.

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  2. This is a step into fighting the virus, even though the virus keeps evolving, this nasal spray could be beneficial. Especially when people don't like taking medicines, especially pills. And If this could slow down the symptoms or even reduce it, why not.

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