Like any illness in the history of time, the discovery of the novel coronavirus in 2019 prompted an almost immediate search for a cure. Scientists across many disciplines committed to finding something (anything) to ease the disease burden of coronavirus. As of yet, no vaccine or cure has been located for the emerging illness. But that doesn’t mean we are not close.

Six major treatments and several types of vaccines are being put to the test in March 2020. The front runner in the treatment options is hydroxychloroquine; an anti-malaria drug.

Hydroxychloroquine – The Answer?

President Trump surprised the public when he opted to fast-track the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the anti-malarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, as a treatment against coronavirus.  Although no formal approval has been given by the FDA, the federal agency said they would work with domestic companies to expand production of the drug while its efficacy is being tested. (1)

The decision to test hydroxychloroquine as a possible cure for coronavirus comes on the heels of two studies recently released. The first, conducted by Chinese researchers, found the anti-malaria medication was effective upon the coronavirus during a basic lab test. This means the virus and drug were tested in a controlled environment and without patients. However, a French study, found the drug had positive effects upon twenty-four patients (just a small group), by quickening recovery or preventing the illness. Approximately, only 25% of the patients who were using hydroxychloroquine tested positive for the virus during the study, versus 90% of untreated patients.

Going forward, hydroxychloroquine and a related drug, chloroquine, will be tested in an international clinical trial announced March 18, 2020, by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the United States, the drug is already approved to treat malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, doctors may prescribe the medication as they see fit medically in the meantime. The drug is considered relatively inexpensive, and safe for children and pregnant women. (1,2)

“We’re going to be able to make that drug available almost immediately, and that’s where the FDA has been so great,” Mr. Trump told reporters during a press meeting. (1)

Possible Dangers

Anti-malaria medications are not completely free from side-effects and should be taken with caution. Especially as more research is awaited, the dosing of the drug needs to be clarified. Two French scientists, Franck Touret and Xavierde de Lamballerie urged, “chloroquine poisoning has been associated with cardiovascular disorders that can be life-threatening.” (1)

Furthermore, this is not the first time hydroxychloroquine and related medications have been posed a ‘wonder’ cure for emerging viruses. In the 1990s, the drug was thought a cure to HIV and AIDS – which it later failed to do. Antiviral remdesivir is being tested as a treatment to Ebola and MERs-CoV, but has not yet been confirmed either as an effective treatment. Similar ‘hype’ for coronavirus could lead to disappointment later.

As of March 2020, more testing on a variety of new and old drugs is still being done, and nothing is currently being ruled out in an effort to find the best potential cure for coronavirus. A WHO administrator put it best in stating, “For chloroquine, there is no proof that that is an effective treatment at this time.” And “We recommend that therapeutics be tested under ethically approved clinical trials to show efficacy and safety.” (1, 3)

The Contenders

So what are other possible drugs for the treatment and prevention of coronavirus? The HIV treatment Kaletra, anti-influenza drug favipiravir, the anti-viral remdesivir, antibody therapies (from one live person to another), and the naturally-occurring lung compound interferon beta are all undergoing testing for the treatment of coronavirus. Each of these treatments has had some connection thus far to coronavirus, making them ideal for additional testing.

In the meantime, healthcare professionals will be focusing their care of patients with coronavirus on managing symptoms and recovery. There will be treatments deemed helpful in the care of acutely ill coronavirus patients too, such as ventilation and medication supporting cardiovascular function. (2)

Update On Vaccine Development

For those looking for a vaccine, a wide array of research is also at work around the globe.

The University of Hong Kong is working on a whole virus vaccine. This vaccine type injects the whole virus, which is weakened or dead, into a patient. Some people can develop signs of illness with this vaccine type. The University of Queensland and a consortium led by Texas Children’s Hospital for Vaccine Development are designing recombinant protein vaccines. This vaccine does not carry any risk of infection. Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Moderna Therapeutics, and Curevac are creating antibody and nuclear acid vaccines. In general, these vaccine types are more complex to make and not common within human medicine.

Delivery of one or more of these vaccines can be expected in upwards of a year (18 months some estimate). But development may be slowed down depending on the extent of this current pandemic. Until a vaccine becomes available, people can protect themselves and others by following guidance from public health and medical experts. (4)