Therapeutics: Calcium channel; serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SLC6A4; SERT); estrogen receptor; androgen receptor
In vitro and mouse studies identified a calcium channel blocker, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and two hormone receptor modulators that could be repurposed to treat Ebola. In human and monkey cell-based assays of Ebola replication, a screen of 2,635 compounds - 64% of which were approved drugs - identified 171 that decreased viral replication compared with vehicle, 25 of which also decreased virus-like particle (VLP) entry. In a mouse model of Ebola infection, four of the 25 VLP entry inhibitors - bepridil, sertraline, clomiphene and toremifene - increased survival compared with vehicle. Next steps could include identifying the viral targets of the four compounds and testing them in non-human primate models of Ebola infection.
The generic calcium channel blocker bepridil was formerly marketed to treat hypertension and angina...