In vitro toxicity and efficacy of verdinexor, an exportin 1 inhibitor, on opportunistic viruses affecting immunocompromised individuals

PLoS One. 2018 Oct 17;13(10):e0200043. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200043. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Infection of immunocompromised individuals with normally benign opportunistic viruses is a major health burden globally. Infections with viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Kaposi's sarcoma virus (KSHV), adenoviruses (AdV), BK virus (BKPyV), John Cunningham virus (JCPyV), and human papillomavirus (HPV) are significant concerns for the immunocompromised, including when these viruses exist as a co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These viral infections are more complicated in patients with a weakened immune system, and often manifest as malignancies resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Vaccination is not an attractive option for these immune compromised individuals due to defects in their adaptive immune response. Verdinexor is part of a novel class of small molecules known as SINE (Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export) compounds. These small molecules demonstrate specificity for the nuclear export protein XPO1, to which they bind and block function, resulting in sequestration of XPO1-dependent proteins in the nucleus of the cell. In antiviral screening, verdinexor demonstrated varying levels of efficacy against all of the aforementioned viruses including previously with HIV. Studies by other labs have discussed likely mechanisms of action for verdinexor (ie. XPO1-dependence) against each virus. GLP toxicology studies suggest that anti-viral activity can be achieved at a tolerable dose range, based on the safety profile of a previous phase 1 clinical trial of verdinexor in healthy human volunteers. Taken together, these results indicate verdinexor has the potential to be a broad spectrum antiviral for immunocompromised subjects for which vaccination is a poor option.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acrylamides / pharmacology*
  • Adenoviridae Infections / drug therapy
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / drug therapy
  • Exportin 1 Protein
  • Fibroblasts / virology
  • Guinea Pigs
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrazines / pharmacology*
  • Immunocompromised Host / drug effects*
  • Karyopherins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Mice
  • Papillomavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Polyomavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / drug therapy
  • Tumor Virus Infections / drug therapy
  • Virus Diseases / complications
  • Virus Diseases / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Acrylamides
  • Hydrazines
  • Karyopherins
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • verdinexor