Withdrawal Notice: Current Drug Trends for the Treatment of the SARS- CoV-2

Abstract

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, initially first appeared in China and spread rapidly around the world, causing a pandemic. Due to the absence of an effective vaccine, many drugs have been extensively studied for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Objective: The aim of this work is to provide a current trend of potential drugs for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2, through literature research over drug repositioning. Methods: A literature review was performed on databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scielo, Lilacs, World Health Organization and Clinical Trials to identify relevant articles of drugs used for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 since 2003 up to 2020. Results and Discussion : Nelfinavir presented favorable results in molecular modelling and in vitro studies. Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine showed positive results, nevertheless, the World Health Organization discontinued the clinical trials because these drugs might increase the frequency of ventricular arrhythmias. Darunavir and Ribavirin presented one positive and negative result for molecular modelling and in vitro studies, respectively. The combination of Lopinavir/Ritonavir and Umifenovir alone demonstrated negative results in the clinical trials performed. Remdesivir was the major drug tested which presented more positive results. Conclusion: The data do not support the use of Lopinavir/Ritonavir and Umifenovir with the potential for treatment against SARS-CoV-2. Nelfinavir has potential to be explored against SARS-CoV-2. Due to the union of several positive results obtained from studies against SARS-CoV-2, the Remdesivir should be explored as the most effective drug for the potential treatment against this virus.