Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor signalling pathway: A promising therapeutic option for COVID-19.
Rev Med Virol
; 34(1): e2500, 2024 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38126937
ABSTRACT
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is continuously producing new variants, necessitating effective therapeutics. Patients are not only confronted by the immediate symptoms of infection but also by the long-term health issues linked to long COVID-19. Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling during SARS-CoV-2 infection promotes virus propagation, mucus hyperproduction, and pulmonary fibrosis, and suppresses the host's antiviral response. Over the long term, EGFR activation in COVID-19, particularly in COVID-19-induced pulmonary fibrosis, may be linked to the development of lung cancer. In this review, we have summarised the significance of EGFR signalling in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We also discussed the targeting of EGFR signalling as a promising strategy for COVID-19 treatment and highlighted erlotinib as a superior option among EGFR inhibitors. Erlotinib effectively blocks EGFR and AAK1, thereby preventing SARS-CoV-2 replication, reducing mucus hyperproduction, TNF-α expression, and enhancing the host's antiviral response. Nevertheless, to evaluate the antiviral efficacy of erlotinib, relevant clinical trials involving an appropriate patient population should be designed.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Health context:
4_TD
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Signal Transduction
/
ErbB Receptors
/
COVID-19
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Rev Med Virol
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article