COVID-19 Innovative Drug Treatments: Looking for the Magic Cure to End the Pandemic

Dear Colleagues, 

The Special Issue follows the publication of the first volume on “COVID-19 Innovative Drug Treatments: Looking Outside of Plato’s Cave”, which presented 10 high-quality papers.

A high rate of morbidity and mortality, exceeding 5.3 million deaths by 2021, has been observed worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that is caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection. Currently, there is no available effective treatment and more than 99% of the infected individuals survive the infection. Many clinical trials with antiviral and other drugs are in progress, but the availability of effective vaccines or the introduction of effective drugs to stop the pandemic has not yet been achieved. The economic decline from the emergency restrictions is causing unprecedented damage to living standards, including a decline in healthcare systems and increases in morbidity and mortality of other diseases worldwide, especially in developing countries. Emergency strategies and medicines are required to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including unconventional approaches. There are many pathways involved in the initiation and progression of the COVID-19 infection, and many more associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and other symptomatological side effects. The aim of this Special Issue is to propose possible therapeutics and related mechanisms for targeting one or more pathways or biomolecules, in order to combat the progress of the COVID-19 disease and/or associated symptoms, as well as to diminish the high rate of mortality. The proposal for therapeutics includes investigational new drugs (IND) and regulatory approved drugs, where in the latter group the authors should include the chemical structure, INN name, mode of action, posology, therapeutic index, toxic side effects, ADMET characteristics, patient categories receiving the drug, drug interactions, and use in adjuvant therapies. We hope that the findings and strategies adopted in this Special Issue will encourage clinical trials and the compassionate use of promising therapeutics against COVID-19 infection, which can lead to the end of the pandemic.

Prof. Dr. George J. Kontoghiorghes
Dr. Christina N. Kontoghiorghe
Dr. Annita Kolnagou
Guest Editors

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