Potential use of cidofovir, brincidofovir, and tecovirimat drugs in fighting monkeypox infection: recent trends and advancements

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2024 Apr;397(4):2055-2065. doi: 10.1007/s00210-023-02769-y. Epub 2023 Oct 14.

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed the rise of more recent pandemic outbreaks including COVID-19 and monkeypox. A multinational monkeypox outbreak creates a complex situation that necessitates countermeasures to the existing quo. The first incidence of monkeypox was documented in the 1970s, and further outbreaks led to a public health emergency of international concern. Yet as of right now, neither vaccines nor medicines are certain to treat monkeypox. Even the inability of conducting human clinical trials has prevented thousands of patients from receiving effective disease management. The current state of the disease's understanding, the treatment options available, financial resources, and lastly international policies to control an epidemic state are the major obstacles to controlling epidemics. The current review focuses on the epidemiology of monkeypox, scientific ideas, and available treatments, including potential monkeypox therapeutic methods. As a result, a thorough understanding of monkeypox literature will facilitate in the development of new therapeutic medications for the prevention and treatment of monkeypox.

Keywords: Antiviral medications; Infection; Monkeypox; Outbreaks; Treatment; Vaccines.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Benzamides
  • Cidofovir
  • Cytosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Humans
  • Mpox (monkeypox)*
  • Organophosphonates*

Substances

  • Cidofovir
  • brincidofovir
  • Organophosphonates
  • Benzamides
  • Cytosine