Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid™) is an effective and safe antiviral drug that inhibits the main protease (M pro ), 3CL protease, of SARS-CoV-2. A reduction in COVID-19-related hospitalization or death was observed in patients treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir within five days of symptom onset. Moreover, good oral availability enables the usage of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, not only in hospitalized patients, but also among outpatients. Nirmatrelvir (PF-07321332) has been demonstrated to stop the spread of COVID-19 in animal models. Despite frequent mutations in the viral genomes of SARS-CoV-2, nirmatrelvir shows an effective antiviral effect against recent coronavirus mutants. Despite the promising antiviral effect of nirmatrelvir, there are several unresolved concerns. First, the final results of large-scale clinical trials for early therapy of mild cases of COVID-19 are not yet published. Second, the effectiveness of nirmatrelvir against upcoming variants in the coming years requires close monitoring. Considering the promising preliminary results of the EPIC-HR trial, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in conjunction with vaccines and non-pharmacological interventions, may represent the dawn in the dark of the COVID-19 pandemic.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, MPro, PF-07321332, Nirmatrelvir, Paxlovid, ritonavir, 【초록키워드】 Vaccine, coronavirus, clinical trial, therapy, Mutation, Trial, Hospitalization, COVID-19 pandemic, variant, animal models, protease, hospitalized patients, antiviral drug, Antiviral effect, Effectiveness, death, mutants, outpatients, 3CL, viral genome, Safe, symptom onset, M pro, Final, close monitoring, second, FIVE, effective, spread of COVID-19, inhibit, demonstrated, reduction in, mild case, patients treated, 【제목키워드】 oral, dawn,