LSU Health New Orleans announced the publication of a groundbreaking study led by Giulia Monticone, PhD, in the prestigious journal EMBO Reports.
The study’s publication is live at https://doi.org/10.1038/s44319-024-00189-4.
This study unveils that the antiviral effects of the COVID-19 drug remdesivir are primarily due to a novel immunological mechanism rather than direct antiviral activity.
The study details how remdesivir’s novel immunological effects are mediated by a newly described mechanism. This discovery paves the way for a new class of drugs that enhance immunity while also targeting viruses, potentially improving the effectiveness of vaccines against viruses and cancers and boosting immunity against certain cancers.
This research was funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Discovery Award (W81XWH-21-1-0078) and marks a significant advancement in immunological drug development.
Collaborative efforts with Southern Research in Birmingham, Ala., are already underway to develop and optimize this new class of agents.
“We are thrilled to have our work recognized by EMBO Reports,” said Monticone. “This publication underscores our commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of immunology and drug development.”