The Anti-COVID-19 Drug Remdesivir Promotes Oncogenic Herpesvirus Reactivation through Regulation of Intracellular Signaling Pathways

Recently, Remdesivir and Molnupiravir were approved for treating COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, little is known about the impact of these drugs on other viruses preexisted in COVID-19 patients. Recently, remdesivir and molnupiravir were approved for treating COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, little is known about the impact of these drugs on other viruses preexisted in COVID-19 patients. Here we report that remdesivir but not molnupiravir induced lytic reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), two major oncogenic herpesviruses. Remdesivir induced mature virion production from latently infected cells. Mechanistic studies showed that remdesivir induced KSHV and EBV reactivation by regulating several intracellular signaling pathways.

Automated summary

Recently, Remdesivir and Molnupiravir have been approved for treating COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, their impact on other preexisting viruses in COVID-19 patients is not well understood. This study shows that Remdesivir can induce lytic reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), while Molnupiravir does not have the same effect.