COVID-19 Pharmacotherapy: Drug Development, Repurposing of Drugs, and the Role of the G6PD Enzyme in Determining Pharmacogenomic Outcomes of Potential Drug Candidates

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been the subject of intense pharmacological research. Various pharmacotherapeutic approaches including anti-viral and immunotherapy are being explored. Responding to a pandemic, however, cannot depend on the development of new drugs; the time required for conventional drug discovery and development is far too lengthy. As such, this paper discusses how repurposing drugs is being used as a viable approach for identifying pharmacological agents for treating COVID-19 infections. In evaluating repurposed drug candidates with pharmacogenomic analysis, near-term pharmacological remedies for COVID-19 can be identified. The paper also explores how amplification of the G6PD enzyme gene may be necessary to develop an assay for polymorphisms in this gene which will, thereby, help determine the extent of the therapeutic impact of potential drug candidates in the treatment of COVID-19. If successful, the G6PD gene can be labeled as a crucial factor for consideration in choosing the most effective drug treatment against SARS-CoV-2 for each individual patient.