Identification of Combinations of Approved Drugs with Synergistic Activity Against Ebola Virus in Cell Cultures

Julie Dyall, Elizabeth A. Nelson, Lisa Evans Dewald, Rajarshi Guha, Brit J. Hart, Huanying Zhou, Elena Postnikova, James Logue, Walter M. Vargas, Robin Gross, Julia Michelotti, Nicole Deiuliis, Richard S. Bennett, Ian Crozier, Michael R. Holbrook, Patrick J. Morris, Carleen Klumpp-Thomas, Crystal McKnight, Tim Mierzwa, Paul ShinnPamela J. Glass, Lisa M. Johansen, Peter B. Jahrling, Lisa E. Hensley, Gene G. Olinger, Craig Thomas, Judith M. White

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

A need to develop therapeutics to treat Ebola virus disease patients in remote and resource-challenged settings remains in the wake of the 2013-2016 epidemic in West Africa. Toward this goal, we screened drugs under consideration as treatment options and other drugs of interest, most being small molecules approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Drugs demonstrating in vitro antiviral activity were advanced for evaluation in combinations because of advantages often provided by drug cocktails. Methods. Drugs were screened for blockade of Ebola virus infection in cultured cells. Twelve drugs were tested in all (78 pairwise) combinations, and 3 were tested in a subset of combinations. Results. Multiple synergistic drug pairs emerged, with the majority comprising 2 entry inhibitors. For the pairs of entry inhibitors studied, synergy was demonstrated at the level of virus entry into host cells. Highly synergistic pairs included aripiprazole/ piperacetazine, sertraline/toremifene, sertraline/bepridil, and amodiaquine/clomiphene. Conclusions. Our study shows the feasibility of identifying pairs of approved drugs that synergistically block Ebola virus infection in cell cultures. We discuss our findings in terms of the theoretic ability of these or alternate combinations to reach therapeutic levels. Future research will assess selected combinations in small-animal models of Ebola virus disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)S672-S678
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume218
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 22 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • anti-viral
  • drug cocktails
  • Ebola virus
  • filovirus
  • hemorrhagic fever viruses
  • Marburg virus.
  • prophylactic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Identification of Combinations of Approved Drugs with Synergistic Activity Against Ebola Virus in Cell Cultures'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this