Novel activities of safe-in-human broad-spectrum antiviral agents

Ianevski, Aleksandr; Zusinaite, Eva; Kuivanen, Suvi; Strand, Mårten; Lysvand, Hilde; Teppor, Mona; Kakkola, Laura; Paavilainen, Henrik; Laajala, Mira; Kallio-Kokko, Hannimari; Valkonen, Miia; Kantele, Anu; Telling, Kaidi; Lutsar, Irja; Letjuka, Pille; Metelitsa, Natalja; Oksenych, Valentyn; Bjørås, Magnar; Nordbø, Svein Arne; Dumpis, Uga; Vitkauskiene, Astra; Öhrmalm, Christina; Bondeson, Kåre; Bergqvist, Anders; Aittokallio, Tero; Cox, Rebecca J.; Evander, Magnus; Hukkanen, Veijo; Marjomaki, Varpu; Julkunen, Ilkka; Vapalahti, Olli; Tenson, Tanel; Merits, Andres; Kainov, Denis

According to the WHO, there is an urgent need for better control of viral diseases. Re-positioning existing safe-in-human antiviral agents from one viral disease to another could play a pivotal role in this process. Here, we reviewed all approved, investigational and experimental antiviral agents, which are safe in man, and identified 59 compounds that target at least three viral diseases. We tested 55 of these compounds against eight different RNA and DNA viruses. We found novel activities for dalbavancin against echovirus 1, ezetimibe against human immunodeficiency virus 1 and Zika virus, as well as azacitidine, cyclosporine, minocycline, oritavancin and ritonavir against Rift valley fever virus. Thus, the spectrum of antiviral activities of existing antiviral agents could be expanded towards other viral diseases.