Scientists find an experimental drug that can cure hepatitis A

Research conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) has found a new drug, identified by code RG7834, that has the potential to treat hepatitis A virus infections.

The disease is caused by the HAV virus, which interferes with the activity of our liver. Despite a vaccine available and widely distributed, there are still outbreaks of problems, including in Brazil.

Researcher Stanley Lemon and his team found that HAV needs two human molecules to replicate in our bodies: they first bind to the ZCCHC14 protein and together they recruit a group of enzymes called TENT4 polymerases.

This group is responsible for the modification processes of our RNA during cell growth. But when taken hostage, the virus uses it to copy its own genome and make more copies.

Therefore, the researchers proposed a way to prevent the sequestration of TENT4, thereby cutting off the pathogen’s access to this tool as a way to prevent the spread of the disease.

For this, they tested a substance known as RG7834, which was previously used against hepatitis B, in mice. In rodents, the drug was able to reduce the damage the virus caused to the liver.

“This compound is far from human use,” Lemon says in a note, “but it shows an effective way to treat an incurable disease.”

When investigated for the treatment of hepatitis B, the drug was toxic for a long time. However, the treatment of type A of the disease may be short-term and so there is hope that the substance will pass through preclinical trials.

ARTICLE Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2204511119