|
Researchers to test possible cure for the flu
Compound rids animals of symptoms
January 28, 1997
Web posted at: 11:45 p.m. ESTIn this story:
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Scientists say they will begin human trials this year on a newly discovered compound that has eliminated flu symptoms in test animals within a day -- and without side effects.
"We are excited about this finding, and we think it will give people a new option for the control of influenza infections," says Norbert Bischofberger of Gilead Sciences Inc.
According to a report in the January 29 issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the compound -- called GS4104 -- blocks a particular enzyme that the flu virus needs to thrive. Without the enzyme, the virus cannot get out of the bloodstream.
Compound a quick fix
Under development for about two years, GS4104 has already eliminated flu symptoms in animals in as little as a day. Developers say there are virtually no side effects.
"I would stop short of saying it's a cure," Dominick Iacuzio of the National Institutes of Health told CNN. "It appears at this stage to be a very exciting, effective drug to limit the infection, the spread of influenza."
If approved, the drug would be available in a pill.
Influenza can be fatal
Currently, two products are licensed to treat influenza A infections, and both cause side effects and do not affect influenza B. Vaccines are only partly effective against the flu because of the large number of different strains of the virus.
"Influenza infection continues to be the most serious respiratory disease in terms of both morbidity and mortality," said Gilead Sciences' Choung Kim.
Scientists think the flu cannot eventually outsmart GS4104 because the drug hits an enzyme that's crucial to the virus, no matter what its mutation.
If successful, the new enzyme inhibitor will be used both as a preventative in high-risk groups and as an oral treatment for infection.
Clinical tests on humans will be conducted by Gilead and pharmaceutical company Hoffman-La Roche. Final results of those tests are probably two to three years away.
Correspondent Jeff Levine contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Scientists to test possible cure for the flu - January 28, 1997
- Flu season gets early, harsh start - December 16, 1996
- Experts advise flu shots, even for many healthy people - October 4, 1996
- Volunteers snort experimental flu vaccine - February 7, 1996
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
- Gilead Sciences
- American Chemical Society
- Colds and Flu
- Infomation on Flu
- Medicare Pays for Flu Shots
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
Tell us what you think!
You said it...
© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.