Autophagy and treatment of patients with COVID-19; which drugs target the autophagy pathway?

Abstract

Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: Autophagy is a way to create new cellular structures, clear cells invaded by microbes, and block accumulating proteins that can cause disease. Moreover, it can destroy all cellular organs and pathogens, including fungi, parasites, bacteria, and viruses, either randomly or selectively. Many research groups are examining a strategy to combat COVID-19. In particular, research is underway to identify drugs that can target autophagy in COVID-19 virus infection. Several known drugs are currently under clinical evaluation for the autophagy process, given that regulating autophagy is a way to combat COVID-19. This study introduces drugs that target the autophagy pathway.