Targeting Host Cell Proteases as a Potential Treatment Strategy to Limit the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the Respiratory Tract

The document from December 23, 2020, reviews the potential of targeting host cell proteases as a treatment strategy to combat COVID-19 by limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the respiratory tract. It suggests that inhibiting proteases like TMPRSS2, which are crucial for viral entry into host cells, could be effective. The review discusses various drugs that could be repurposed for COVID-19 treatment, including TMPRSS2 inhibitors like camostat and nafamostat mesilate, which have shown promise in vitro and in vivo, and are undergoing clinical trials. It also proposes combination therapies targeting multiple proteases and emphasizes the need for early administration of these treatments upon a positive COVID-19 test. The document notes the limitations of current antiviral drugs, such as remdesivir, which have not demonstrated significant clinical benefits, and advocates for the rapid clinical testing of protease-targeting drugs in combination with antivirals to potentially improve treatment outcomes.