Id |
Subject |
Object |
Predicate |
Lexical cue |
T369 |
0-4 |
Sentence |
denotes |
4.4. |
T370 |
5-71 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Vidofludimus Calcium (Immunic AG, IMU-838) and Brequinar (DuP-785) |
T371 |
72-265 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Vidofludimus is a synthetic small molecule that is under investigation for treating inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases [154,155,156]. |
T372 |
266-392 |
Sentence |
denotes |
It is a biphenyl-carbamoyl-cyclopentene derivative (Figure 7) that is being developed as oral formulation for therapeutic use. |
T373 |
393-625 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Currently, a prospective, randomized, multi-center, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study is ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vidofludimus as an adjunct therapy in COVID-19 patients (NCT04379271; n = 230) [157]. |
T374 |
626-818 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The investigational drug selectively inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, an important enzyme for the de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine-based nucleotides, in activated B and T immune cells. |
T375 |
819-939 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Such inhibition diminishes the pyrimidine pool in these cells, which subsequently exposes the cells to metabolic stress. |
T376 |
940-1093 |
Sentence |
denotes |
It also diminishes the release of T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 17 (Th17) proinflammatory cytokines of IL-17 and IFN-γ, which reduces inflammation [154]. |
T377 |
1094-1312 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Interestingly, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibition also results in a direct antiviral effect, which has been exhibited in cells infected with hemorrhagic fever-causing viruses, cytomegalovirus, and influenza virus. |
T378 |
1313-1457 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In fact, IMU-838′s antiviral activity has been demonstrated in vitro against arenavirus, cytomegalovirus, influenza A virus, HCV, and HIV [157]. |
T379 |
1458-1540 |
Sentence |
denotes |
IMU-838 has also effectively promoted antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 [157]. |
T380 |
1541-1624 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Specifically, IMU-838 inhibited the replication of clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2. |
T381 |
1625-1810 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In cellular assays, IMU-838 promoted the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity at concentrations lower than those that have been considered in previous and ongoing clinical trials [154,155,156,157]. |
T382 |
1811-2098 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Overall, IMU-838′s antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 as well as its selective immunomodulatory effect targeting activated immune cells appear to be interesting, particularly that it potentially prevents the virus reactivation that may happen with other immunomodulatory agents [157]. |
T383 |
2099-2251 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Likewise, brequinar is a synthetic, small molecule, and quinoline-carboxylic acid derivative (Figure 7) that also inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. |
T384 |
2252-2340 |
Sentence |
denotes |
It eventually blocks the de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine-based nucleotides [158,159]. |
T385 |
2341-2400 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Accordingly, brequinar possesses immunosuppressive effects. |
T386 |
2401-2559 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Furthermore, it also possesses antineoplastic properties that can be exploited to enhance the in vivo antitumor activity of other antineoplastic agents [160]. |
T387 |
2560-2625 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Alternatively, the drug has also antiparasitic effects [160,161]. |
T388 |
2626-2783 |
Sentence |
denotes |
More importantly, the drug exhibits a broad-spectrum antiviral activity against influenza viruses [162], HIV-1 [163], and foot-and-mouth disease virus [164]. |
T389 |
2784-2937 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In fact, a pre-print under review has documented the activity of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors against RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 [165]. |
T390 |
2938-3121 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Currently, the drug is being evaluated in a randomized, open-label trial to assess its safety and anti-coronavirus activity in hospitalized adults with COVID-19 (NCT04425252; n = 24). |