A research group led by Professor Junichiro Inoue of the University of Tokyo found that nafamostat (trade name: Fusan), a therapeutic drug for acute pancreatitis, is the first stage of infection with the new coronavirus, which is the outer membrane of the virus and the cell membrane of the infected cells. We have clarified the possibility of suppressing the fusion of viruses and effectively blocking the invasion process of the virus.
Infectious diseases caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) began in Wuhan, China, and spread to 2 countries around the world in just over two months.The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a pandemic.In Japan, there are many asymptomatic carriers and mildly ill people, but death may occur in the case of people with severe illness, the elderly, or underlying illness.Although there is no therapeutic drug at this time, it is extremely effective to search for a therapeutic drug from existing drugs whose safety has been confirmed due to the current situation of the spread of infection.
In order for coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2 to infect the human body, the spike (S) protein on the outer membrane surface first binds to the cell membrane receptor (ACE2 receptor) of human cells.After that, it is cleaved by a proteolytic enzyme and the S protein is activated, which is important for the fusion of the outer viral membrane and the cell membrane.
In early March, a German group announced the efficacy of "Camostat" (trade name: Foypan), a treatment for chronic pancreatitis, against SARS-CoV-3.This time, the research group investigated the action with camostat based on the previous research result that nafamostat suppresses membrane fusion efficiently, and as a result, nafamostat is remarkably virus at a low concentration of 2/10 or less of camostat. Stopped the invasion process.Therefore, nafamostat is expected to be highly effective in inhibiting SARS-CoV-1 infection.
Nafamostat and camostat were developed in Japan and have many years of prescribing experience.Sufficient clinical data has been accumulated regarding safety, and clinical trials can be conducted promptly.
