Current research has unveiled that existing drugs that target a particular cellular protein could effectively treat various poxviruses like monkeypox and smallpox. The investigation exposed how poxviruses manipulate this protein to elude the body’s defenses, aiding in their reproduction. Drugs that already focus on this protein have displayed potential in curtailing the spread of poxviruses, suggesting a long-lasting treatment option. This strategy, centered on hindering the cellular protein rather than directly attacking the virus, reduces the likelihood of the virus developing resistance. These findings have implications for treating monkeypox, smallpox, and potentially other poxviruses, presenting a promising alternative to current treatments. The research, recently published in the journal Nature, showcases that repurposing existing drugs could offer a quicker path to combat these viruses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about poxvirus treatment
What did scientists discover about poxviruses and existing drugs?
Scientists found that poxviruses utilize a cellular protein to evade host defenses and replicate. Existing drugs targeting this protein show promise in limiting poxvirus spread.
How do existing drugs hinder poxvirus spread?
Existing drugs target a cellular protein that poxviruses exploit. By inhibiting this protein, the drugs reduce the virus’s ability to evade host defenses, thereby limiting its spread.
Which diseases could these drugs potentially treat?
These drugs could potentially treat various poxviruses, including monkeypox and smallpox, due to the shared mechanism of exploiting the same cellular protein by these viruses.
How do these drugs differ from traditional antiviral treatments?
Rather than directly attacking the virus, these drugs focus on inhibiting a cellular protein that the virus exploits. This approach reduces the likelihood of the virus developing resistance.
What’s the significance of targeting a shared cellular protein?
Targeting a common cellular protein across different poxviruses increases the likelihood of these drugs being effective against multiple diseases, offering a more versatile treatment strategy.
How do these findings impact current treatments?
The discovery suggests a potential alternative treatment strategy for poxviruses, with the advantage of using existing drugs that have undergone clinical trials, expediting the development process.
What was the source of funding for this research?
The study received funding from the Isaac Newton Trust, the Medical Research Council, and UK Research and Innovation.
More about poxvirus treatment
- Nature Journal: “TRIM5α restricts poxviruses and is antagonized by CypA and the viral protein C6”
- University of Cambridge Department of Pathology
- University of Oxford Dunn School of Pathology
- The Pirbright Institute
- Isaac Newton Trust
- Medical Research Council
- UK Research and Innovation
