Research progress in antiviral therapy for novel coronavirus pneumonia

Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), a number of clinical studies have been carried out globally in order to explore efficacy and safety of drugs for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). These studies were mainly focused on drugs with anti-2019-nCoV activity tested in vitro and those previously used for the treatment of SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome, including remdesivir, lopinavir/ritonavir, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, arbidol, interferon, ribavirin, and etc. The recent clinical studies on anti-2019-nCoV drugs are reviewed in this article, but the current research results are inconsistent, which are insufficient to constitute evidence for the efficacy and safety of these drugs in the treatment of COVID-19. In the absence of specific antiviral agents, remdesivir can be a treatment option for patients with critical illness or rapid progress. Some clinical studies are still in progress. We are looking forward to more large-scale and multicenter clinical trials to provide safe and effective evidence for antiviral treatment in the future.Copyright © 2020 by the Chinese Medical Association.