Something to note here.
Ridgeback/Merck's two Phase II Trials of Molnupiravir as a therapeutic are still ongoing with an estimated end date of May 28th, 2021. They are still recruiting for study subjects.
While preliminary results have shown promise, there is potential for lingering severe side effects due to molnupiravir’s mutagenic mechanism, experts noted. These severe side-effects are not addressed in either of the trials.
Nucleoside analogue molnupiravir has been investigated previously in other viral diseases, supporting its use versus SARS-CoV-2, said Robert Shafer, research professor, infectious diseases, Stanford University, California. One advantage of its mode of action as a polymerase inhibitor is the limited data showing viruses develop resistance against this approach, added Ashley Brown, PhD, associate professor, Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Florida, Orlando.
There are unique aspects to molnupiravir’s mechanism, Shafer noted. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes viruses, nucleoside analogues are incorporated into a growing DNA chain and would stall its production, he explained. These are called chain terminators. In contrast, molnupiravir would still allow for the viral RNA chain to grow, but wrong nucleosides are attached to the chain, leading to many mutations, he said. Because of this, the chain would be degraded, he noted, adding this is why molnupiravir is a mutagen.
"In Covid-19, molnupiravir is incorporated by the viral RNA polymerase, with molnupiravir being a viral genome mutagen." - Ron Swanstrom, PhD, professor, Department of Biochemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Due to limited data with highly active viral mutagens like molnupiravir, there is concern its mechanism would negatively impact the host, leading to side effects, Swanstrom said.
Side effect concerns have been raised about whether molnupiravir could be metabolised into a precursor of DNA, Swanstrom said, explaining it could enter the host cell nucleus, leading to oncogenesis.
*Oncogenesis is the process through which healthy cells become transformed into cancer cells. It is characterized by a series of genetic and cellular changes, including oncogene activation, that lead the cell to divide in an uncontrolled manner.
https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com...aces-execution-obstacles-may-have-value-gaps/
While I would gladly welcome a new weapon in our arsenal against this vicious virus, bearing all of the above in mind I think I will hold my horses for a bit before declaring a premature victory over Covid-19.
