Russia (bbabo.net), - Scientists from the Novosibirsk Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have created a drug based on recombinant human interferon-lambda. As it turned out, it can be used to prevent and treat a new coronavirus infection.
“This work began before the pandemic. We were looking for new methods of treating viral conjunctivitis,” says Maxim Korolev, deputy director for clinical work. “We conducted a block of preclinical studies.”
According to Maxim Korolev, the project is being carried out in the Institute's youth laboratory. The results of the first stage of the work inspire scientists with optimism. “If the cells are pre-treated with interferon-lambda, the virus does not develop in them. And if the cells are first infected with the virus, and then interferon-lambda is injected, then the activity of SARS-CoV-2 reproduction in them drops tenfold,” said the head of the experimental department. Pharmacology, Doctor of Medical Sciences Pavel Madonov.
According to the scientist, the cells in the human body begin to produce their own interferon in response to the attack of the virus. Isolation of the protein disrupts the process of "assembly" of the virus in the cells. However, different groups of interferons act differently. Interferon-lambda (lambda is the 11th letter of the Latin alphabet), which was discovered about 20 years ago, works great on the so-called anatomical barriers. That is, its response is actively manifested in the first hours of infection. Whereas interferon-alpha comes into play after at least a day.
Scientists have already managed to create a recombinant copy of human interferon-lambda and conduct tests at various dosages. It is known that if one amount of the drug is required for prevention, then a tenfold dose is required for treatment. This factor makes it impossible to use in the treatment of a more studied protein group - alpha - due to the fact that they act more slowly. In addition, alpha is much "stronger" than lambda and to the same extent more toxic. The action of the lambda is much easier to carry. The results obtained by scientists prove that interferon-lambda is safe even for embryos and could be used during pregnancy.
“For ease of understanding, you can compare interferon-lambda with a special forces detachment that quickly lands on the spot, hits exactly at the enemy and leaves no traces. But interferon-alpha is a massive military attack that will leave scorched earth behind. by the virus, but also by the cells of the body,” explains Pavel Madonov.
A certain problem for researchers is the fact that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is constantly mutating, it is necessary to conduct additional studies of new strains both in cells and in animals. According to scientists, preclinical trials can stretch for two years, at least the same amount will take clinical trials.
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