Probenecid, a medication primarily used to treat gout, has demonstrated broad antiviral properties and could be a viable therapeutic to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as other common respiratory viruses like RSV and influenza. The research, published in Nature’s Scientific Reports, offers hope for an easily accessible treatment option against COVID-19, which has claimed millions of lives worldwide.
Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Activity
According to Ralph Tripp, lead author of the study and GRA Eminent Scholar of Vaccine and Therapeutic Studies at the University of Georgia, probenecid has shown antiviral activity against all RNA respiratory viruses tested. "This antiviral works for all RNA respiratory viruses we tested, including SARS-CoV-2," Tripp stated. "RSV, coronavirus and flu all circulate in the same season. Bottom line is you can potentially reduce infection and disease using this one oral drug."
Mechanism of Action
Probenecid functions by inhibiting viral replication within a host's cells. Viruses commandeer a person’s own cells to replicate and produce more of the virus, but probenecid blocks this process, preventing the virus from infecting the individual’s cells. The drug has demonstrated effectiveness as a prophylactic prior to virus exposure and as a post-exposure treatment in animal models against SARS-CoV-2 and flu, according to clinical development work at TrippBio.
Addressing Limitations of Current COVID-19 Treatments
Current treatments for seriously ill COVID-19 patients, such as remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies, require intravenous administration, which can be expensive and difficult to access. "These treatments have seen some effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2, but they’re very expensive and very hard to come by," Tripp noted. Probenecid, being an oral medication, could be prescribed by primary care physicians and obtained at local drugstores, making it a more accessible option.
Potential for Enhanced Treatment Efficacy
Beyond its direct antiviral effects, probenecid may also enhance the efficacy of other treatments. It is already used to boost the potency of some antibiotics, suggesting it could potentially work in conjunction with other COVID-19 therapies. Researchers are currently investigating optimal dosages for fighting viruses in humans, and TrippBio plans to initiate clinical trials of the medication within the year.
Clinical Development
TrippBio is set to begin clinical trials of the medication within the year to investigate what dosage of probenecid could have the biggest impact fighting viruses in people.
"SARS-CoV-2, RSV and flu have a huge impact on health systems throughout the world," Tripp said. "Probenecid has a potent antiviral effect against these viruses, and it works safely."
