• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.4-10
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• 2023

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a common disease in the aging population and immunocompromised individuals, with a lifetime risk of 20%-30% that increases with age. HZ is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which remains latent in the spinal dorsal root ganglia and cranial sensory ganglia after resolution of the primary VZV infection. The main focus of HZ management is rapid recovery from VZV infection as well as the reduction and prevention of zoster-associated pain (ZAP) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The use of antivirals against VZV is essential in the treatment of HZ. However, limited antivirals are only licensed clinically for the treatment of HZ, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir, brivudine, and amenamevir. Fortunately, some new antivirals against different types of Herpesviridae have been investigated and suggested as novel drugs against VZV. Therefore, this review focuses on discussing the difference in efficacy and safety in the currently licensed antivirals for the treatment of HZ, the applicability of future novel antivirals against VZV, and the preventive or therapeutic effects of these antivirals on ZAP or PHN.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2012

This study was aimed to examine the prescribing patterns of antivirals in outpatients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), using National Health Insurance adjudicated claims data (total 1,426,065 claims) dated March 19, 2008 submitted from nationwide healthcare providers to Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. From the data, there were 2,965 claims with CHB diagnosis (ICD-10 code B18.0 and B18.1), and 44.2% (1,311 claims) of the CHB related claims included antivirals such as lamivudine, clevudine, adefovir and entecavir. Lamivudine, adefovir, clevudine and entecavir shared 54.9%, 19.9%, 13.2% and 11.9%, respectively, among antiviral prescriptions. Adefovir and entecavir 1mg presumed as the 2nd line therapy for HBV resistant cases were shared 23.3% of overall antiviral prescriptions. There were statistically significant difference in prescription patterns according to age and institution type: Lamivudine usage was higher in younger (< 20 years old) and older age group (> 70 years old) than the others (p = 0.016), and adefovir and entecavir, which were relatively newer antivirals, had higher prescription rates in higher level of institutions such as tertiary hospitals than the others (p < 0.001). This study would be of help to make an appropriate drug therapy plan for patients with CHB.

• Gut and Liver
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.609-610
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• 2018

• Clinical and Molecular Hepatology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.351-357
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• 2018

The advent of novel, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has revolutionized its treatment by producing a sustained virologic response of more than 95% with few side effects and no comorbidities in the general population. Until recently, ideal DAA regimens have not been available to patients with severe renal impairment and end-stage renal disease because there are limited data on the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of treatment in this unique population. In a hemodialysis context, identifying patients in need of treatment and preventing HCV transmission may also be a matter of concern. Recently published studies suggest that a combination of paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir and dasabuvir, elbasvir/grazoprevir, or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir successfully treats HCV infection in chronic kidney disease stage 4 or 5 patients with or without hemodialysis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.43-54
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• 2013

Viral hepatitis is the inflammation of liver cells caused by viruses, and still one of the major health-care problems worldwide. A number of viruses to cause hepatitis are type A, B, C, D, E or G. Among these viruses leading to hepatitis, B and C are more troublesome being more prone to chronic illness which can cause the potentially fatal conditions of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and/or liver failure. If immediate treatment is not initiated, liver transplant is the only option left. Over the past few decades there has been remarkable progress in diagnose and monitor all hepatitis virus infections for treatment and prevention. Nonetheless, important challenges remain to develop more effective and safe vaccines for prevention as well as antiviral agents to reduce viremia/viral load by inhibiting viral replication. The development and evaluation of antiviral agents through carefully designed clinical trials over the last 25 years has heralded a new dawn in the treatment of patients chronically infected with the hepatitis B and C viruses, but not so for the D virus. The introduction of Direct Acting Antivirals (DDAs) for the treatment of HBV carriers has permitted the long term use of these compounds for the continuous suppression of viral replication. This review aims to summarize the current status and development approaches of antiviral drugs for the treatment of viral hepatitis and future perspectives.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.149-150
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• 2002

Despite various efforts on improving vaccines and antivirals, influenza epidemics continue to afflict many people, causing widespread morbidity and mortality in the young and the elderly. Since the discovery of the unusual 'cap-stealing'mechanism of transcription, significant advances were made on molecular aspects of influenza gene regulation. This provides new insights for developing new antiviral compounds. Reverse genetic technologies have also been advanced for generating recombinant chimeric viruses suitable for designing live vaccine. (omitted)

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.242-254
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• 2018

Defensins are antimicrobial peptides that participate in the innate immunity of hosts. Humans constitutively and/or inducibly express ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-defensins, which are known for their antiviral and antibacterial activities. This review describes the application of human defensins. We discuss the extant experimental results, limited though they are, to consider the potential applicability of human defensins as antiviral agents. Given their antiviral effects, we propose that basic research be conducted on human defensins that focuses on RNA viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza A virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and dengue virus (DENV), which are considered serious human pathogens but have posed huge challenges for vaccine development for different reasons. Concerning the prophylactic and therapeutic applications of defensins, we then discuss the applicability of human defensins as antivirals that has been demonstrated in reports using animal models. Finally, we discuss the potential adjuvant-like activity of human defensins and propose an exploration of the 'defensin vaccine' concept to prime the body with a controlled supply of human defensins. In sum, we suggest a conceptual framework to achieve the practical application of human defensins to combat viral infections.

• Gut and Liver
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.694-703
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Limited data exist comparing the safety and efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) monoinfected and HCV/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfected patients in the real-world clinic practice setting. Methods: All HCV monoinfected and HCV/HIV coinfected patients treated with DAAs between January 2014 and October 2017 in community clinic settings were retrospectively analyzed. Pretreatment baseline patient characteristics, treatment efficacy, factors affecting sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12) after treatment, and adverse reactions were compared between the groups. Results: A total of 327 patients were included in the study, of which 253 were HCV monoinfected, and 74 were HCV/HIV coinfected. There was a statistically significant difference observed in SVR12 when comparing HCV monoinfection and HCV/HIV coinfection (94% and 84%, respectively, p=0.005). However, there were no significant factors identified as a predictor of a reduced response. The most common adverse effect was fatigue (27%). No significant drug interaction was observed between DAA and antiretroviral therapy. None of the patients discontinued the treatment due to adverse events. Conclusions: In a real-world setting, DAA regimens have lower SVR12 in HCV/HIV coinfection than in HCV monoinfection. Further studies involving a higher number of HCV/HIV coinfected patients are needed to identify real predictors of a reduced response.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.9
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• pp.345-354
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• 2020

The widespread and contagious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has become a burden in the global health domain. The subsequent discovery of the virus features and pathogenesis, and prompt and adequate management are still lacking and remain inconclusive. Children usually present milder symptoms than adults, and management focuses on providing symptomatic and respiratory supports. Several treatment modalities, including the utilization of mechanical ventilation (MV), antivirals, immune-modulating drugs, or other agents, may present promising results in reducing the symptoms of COVID-19, particularly in severe cases. Although no randomized clinical trials have been published to date, it is interesting to explore potential modalities for treating COVID-19 in children, based on review articles, case reports, and recent guidelines.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.87-91
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• 2010

For the discovery of new antivirals against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV), we prepared and evaluated several benzoquinoline compounds as its 3C-like protease (3CLpro) inhibitors. Based on the computer modeling study that each of the two rigid benzoquinolinone and N-phenoltetrazole moieties of the compound 1 is bound to the S1 and S2 sites, respectively, of the SARS protease by forming H-bonds and hydrophobic interactions, we designed and synthesized alkylated benzoquinolines at both the sites of the hydroxyl groups. We found that the compound 2a showed five times higher inhibiting activity against the 3CLpro compared to the compound 1.