Researchers at the Nanoscience Initiative at the Advanced Science Research Center at the CUNY Graduate Center (CUNY ASRC) have achieved a significant breakthrough in the battle against viral diseases. Their groundbreaking study, recently published in the esteemed journal Science Advances, presents a promising avenue towards the development of the world’s first broad-spectrum antiviral (BSA). This revolutionary BSA could potentially combat a wide array of deadly viruses, including potential future pandemic threats.
In contrast to bacterial infections, where doctors often administer broad-spectrum antibiotics while identifying the specific bacteria, viral infections are typically treated with antiviral medications that target a narrow range of related viruses. This limitation in treatment options can leave populations vulnerable for extended periods while vaccines and therapeutics are being developed.
Principal Investigator Adam Braunschweig, a professor at the Nanoscience Initiative at CUNY ASRC and Hunter College’s Chemistry and Biochemistry department, and his team set out to tackle this global health challenge by focusing on a common feature present on the surface of many viruses: viral envelope glycans. These sugar molecules are structurally conserved across diverse viral families and have remained an untapped target for antiviral drug development.
The researchers screened 57 synthetic carbohydrate receptors (SCRs) – small molecules designed to bind to viral glycans – and identified four lead compounds that effectively blocked infection from seven different viruses spanning five unrelated families. These viruses included some of the most dangerous pathogens in the world, such as Ebola, Marburg, Nipah, Hendra, SARS-CoV-1, and SARS-CoV-2.
In a crucial experiment, one of the lead SCR compounds was administered to mice infected with SARS-CoV-2. Remarkably, 90% of the mice treated with the SCR survived, in stark contrast to the control group where none survived. Further analysis confirmed that these compounds function by binding to viral envelope glycans, showcasing a novel mechanism of action with potential applications not only in infectious diseases but also in cancer and immune disorders.
Braunschweig expressed, “This is the kind of antiviral tool that the world urgently needs. In the event of a new virus emergence, we currently lack effective treatments. These compounds hold the potential to serve as the first line of defense in such scenarios.” The team’s next phase of research will concentrate on advancing the most promising compounds into clinical trials.
The study, titled “Broad-spectrum Synthetic Carbohydrate Receptors (SCRs) Inhibit Viral Entry Across Multiple Virus Families,” is published in Science Advances. For more information, please refer to the DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ady3554.
This groundbreaking research conducted by the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center sheds light on a potential game-changer in the field of antiviral drug development. Stay tuned for further updates on the progress of these promising compounds as they move towards clinical trials.
