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Scientists to test possible cure for the flu
Compound eliminates symptoms in animals
January 28, 1997
Web posted at: 12:45 p.m. ESTWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Scientists say they will begin human trials early this year on a newly discovered compound that has eliminated flu symptoms in test animals within a day and without side effects.
According to a report in the January 29 issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the compound -- called GS4104 -- blocks a particular enzyme that the flu virus needs to thrive. Without the enzyme, the virus cannot get out of the bloodstream.
"Compounds currently available for the prevention and treatment of flu are limited," said researcher Choung Kim of Gilead Sciences in Foster City, California.
Currently, two products are licensed to treat influenza A infections, and both cause side-effects and do not affect influenza B. Vaccines are only partly effective against the flu because of the large number of different strains of the virus.
"Influenza infection continues to be the most serious respiratory disease in terms of both morbidity and mortality," Kim said.
If successful, the new enzyme inhibitor will be used both as a preventative in high risk groups and as an oral treatment for infection.
Clinical tests on humans will be conducted by Gilead and pharmaceutical company Hoffman-La Roche. Final results of those tests are probably two to three years away.
Correspondent Jeff Levine contributed to this report.
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- Flu season gets early, harsh start - December 16, 1996
- Experts advise flu shots, even for many healthy people - October 4, 1996
- Volunteers snort experimental flu vaccine - February 7, 1996
Related sites:
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- Gilead Sciences
- American Chemical Society
- Colds and Flu
- Infomation on Flu
- Medicare Pays for Flu Shots
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