SARS-CoV-2 dependence on host pathways

A drug that inhibits host protein synthesis shows antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first emerged in 2019, and its high pathogenicity, infectivity, and transmissibility have led to a global pandemic. Although several vaccines have been approved in different countries, most of the global population currently remains unvaccinated because of disparities in vaccine distribution and limited manufacturing capabilities ( 1 ). Owing to a lack of treatment options (particularly in low- and middle-income countries), the slow progression of vaccination, and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants that elicit reduced responses to vaccines, there is an urgent need to identify therapeutics to reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. On page 926 of this issue, White et al. ( 2 ) demonstrate that the small-molecule drug, plitidepsin, which is approved to treat relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, possesses antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and may be a promising drug candidate for treating COVID-19.