Mebendazole Therapy Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Entry and Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a therapy that can mitigate the impact of COVID-19 by slowing down physiological effects and inhibiting the risks, symptoms, and development of severe disease in individuals infected with the coronavirus, particularly SARS-COV-2, which can affect multiple organs and exacerbate with comorbidities.
Innovation Solution
The use of Mebendazole, potentially combined with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor like Imatinib, to inhibit the entry and replication of the SARS-COV-2 virus by targeting viral tubulin formation and calmodulin-domain protein kinase 1, thereby ameliorating and/or inhibiting severe disease symptoms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional antiviral therapies are used, then viral infection is treated, but treatment options are limited and severe disease progression cannot be effectively inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical and pharmacological parameters by using Mebendazole, an anthelmintic drug with different mechanisms of action compared to conventional antivirals. Mebendazole targets tubulin formation and calmodulin-domain protein kinase 1, representing a parameter change in the target proteins and drug mechanism, thereby expanding treatment options and improving effectiveness against SARS-COV-2
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Mebendazole as an intermediary substance that indirectly affects viral replication by targeting host cellular processes (tubulin and calmodulin-domain protein kinase 1) rather than directly targeting the virus. This intermediary approach expands treatment versatility and overcomes limitations of direct antiviral therapies
2Reliability
If Mebendazole is used to inhibit viral entry and replication, then severe disease symptoms are reduced, but the mechanism is novel and requires validation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary in vitro and in vivo experiments to validate the mechanism of Mebendazole before clinical application. By demonstrating viral inhibition and cytotoxicity reduction in controlled laboratory settings and animal models, the mechanism is preliminarily validated, supporting subsequent clinical use and reducing the need for extensive validation in human trials
3Reliability
If combination therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitor is used, then viral inhibition is enhanced, but treatment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges Mebendazole with tyrosine kinase inhibitors to create a combination therapy that targets multiple viral and cellular processes simultaneously. This combining approach enhances viral inhibition efficacy by attacking the virus through multiple mechanisms, though it does increase treatment complexity that must be managed through coordinated administration protocols
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Mebendazole and Imatinib, either alone or in combination, demonstrate significant viral inhibition and cytotoxicity reduction, as shown by in vitro and in vivo experimental data, potentially reducing morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 by minimizing viral load and organ damage.
Implementation Method 1
Mebendazole interferes in viral tubulin formation
Implementation Method 2
Mebendazole interferes in viral tubulin formation and it may target viral calmodulin-domain protein kinase 1 also
Implementation Method 3
a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, such as Imatinib
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to use of Mebendazole, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor or both in combination to treat a coronavirus infection in a subject.