Bankrupt Biotech's Cancer Drug Fights COVID-19, MRSA in Mice

With the ongoing presence of SARS-CoV-2, researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) have unveiled new findings revealing the potential of an experimental cancer drug to curb the virus in lung tissue. This research, published on July 3 in Science Translational Medicine, focuses on the drug eganelisib, originally developed by Infinity Pharmaceuticals, a company that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2023. Eganelisib targets an enzyme known as phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-kinase gamma (PI3Kγ).

The UCSD study highlights that individuals with COVID-19, as well as those with infections like methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), exhibit elevated levels of myeloid cells in their lungs. These cells, part of the immune system, release signaling proteins called cytokines but can also cause harmful inflammation leading to severe lung damage. The small molecule inhibitor eganelisib was found to reduce the number of myeloid cells in the lungs, thereby improving the survival rates of mice infected with either COVID-19 or MRSA.

Judith Varner, Ph.D., the senior author of the study and a researcher who has worked with Infinity Pharmaceuticals, emphasized the significance of this discovery. She noted that while other drugs were tested during the COVID-19 crisis with limited success, this study marks the first time targeting myeloid cells specifically has shown effectiveness against COVID-19.

PI3Kγ plays a crucial role in the process by aiding myeloid cells in migrating to virus-infected organs, a mechanism also observed in cancerous tissues. By inhibiting PI3Kγ, eganelisib prevents myeloid cell migration, thereby reducing tissue damage. This discovery not only offers a new potential treatment pathway for COVID-19 but also underscores eganelisib's versatility beyond its initial cancer-targeted applications.

Before the shutdown of Infinity Pharmaceuticals, eganelisib had been fast-tracked by the FDA for potential use in combination with other drugs to treat triple-negative breast cancer. By May 2024, a phase 1 study for this indication had been completed, and clinical trials were ongoing for its application in urethral cancer, head and neck cancer, and renal cell carcinoma.

The UCSD team is hopeful that their research will inspire pharmaceutical companies to develop similar compounds aimed at treating not only COVID-19 but also MRSA and other diseases that result in myeloid-cell-driven organ damage. Varner expressed optimism that the recent findings would attract more funding, enabling her team to extend their research across various disease contexts.

The significance of this research extends beyond the immediate implications for COVID-19 treatment. It opens new avenues for addressing other infections and diseases characterized by excessive myeloid cell activity. As the scientific community continues to grapple with the impacts of SARS-CoV-2, this study offers a promising new direction for therapeutic development, potentially leading to more effective treatments for a range of serious health conditions.