Considering the present COVID-19 scenario, the motive in writing the book “An Update on SARS-CoV-2“ is to provide it as a single manual guide for doctors, medical professionals, and researchers. The book An Update on SARS-CoV-2 contains eleven chapters covering full-length information on different aspects related to COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 since the COVID-19 outbreak till the present day. Hence, an overview of COVID-19 was described in the first book chapter, including the origin and reservoir of SARS-CoV-2, major events of the COVID-19 outbreak, and the case fatality rate of COVID-19. The emergence of genomic mutations in deadly SARS-CoV-2 led to the evolution of many variants of concern that differ in their transmissibility effects affecting public health globally. Hence, deep insights regarding the structure and functions of all the components of SARS-CoV-2 are needed to be further studied and evaluated. Regarding this, SARS-CoV-2, virology, especially genome, was discussed in detail in the second book chapter. The COVID-19 infection starts with the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the targeted host cell, which involves a mechanistic process. So, the third book chapter reviewed the different entryways of SARS-CoV-2 and the key role of host enzymes TMPRSS2 and Furin associated in it. Epidemiological studies investigate the factors behind disease outbreaks' root causes and effects and offer problem-solving control methods. Hence, the fourth book chapter describes the life cycle, transmissibility, mutant variants of SARS-CoV-2, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and prevention of COVID-19. A specific emphasis should be made on studying COVID-19's viral etiology and pathophysiology, which is crucial for better customizing and creating new or repurposed drug treatments and effective vaccines. In the case of COVID-19, etiological studies are helpful in determining the factors causing illness. Therefore, this fifth book chapter summarized the COVID-19 etiology, the innate and adaptive host immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, and cytokine storm syndrome. Damage response framework (DRF) provides a lens to understand the outcome of the interaction between the host and SARS-CoV-2 and how the potential therapies could alter the disease's outcome, i.e., host damage. Hence, the sixth chapter explains different COVID-19 pathogenesis pathways through DRF approach. Repurposing drugs and potential benefits of nanomedicine for COVID-19 therapy discussed in this book might help researchers to find a targeted lead candidate drug and formulate a promising targeted medicine against SARS-CoV-2 and for other human coronaviruses too. So, the seventh book chapter summarized the various repurposed drugs and potent chemical and herbal agents as possible new therapeutic avenues to warfare against COVID-19. For immunopathogenic diseases like COVID-19 infection, immunotherapy suits well and aids in enhancing the body's immune system. Therefore, the eighth book chapter was reviewed in addressing the current findings in immunotherapy against COVID-19 such as current investigational candidates of natural immunomodulators, convalescent plasma therapy, monoclonal antibodies therapy, IFN therapy, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Nanotechnology-based tools circumvented the challenges in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of many diseases. So, in this book, a nanomedicine proposal was brought up for dealing with some of the COVID-19 major challenges in practical ways. The ninth book chapter focused on the development of possible potent targeted therapeutic nano-formulations that might give promising potential benefits in COVID-19 therapy. Vaccines are life-saving immune biologicals. Getting vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines will decrease the serious condition and fatality risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hence, the tenth book chapter reviewed the various vaccine approaches, ongoing (clinical trials) and approved vaccine candidates for COVID-19. Some Phyto-phytopharmaceuticals have immunomodulatory properties but possess certain limitations. Therefore, in the eleventh chapter, a proposal was brought up regarding the phospholipid complexation technique coupled with 3D printing technology to surmount the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical hurdles to scale up the use of phytopharmaceuticals with desirable immunomodulatory potential.
The book An Update on SARS-CoV-2 focuses on the current appalling COVID-19 pandemic, which posed several challenges to health policymakers and the medical fraternity, including researchers. This book, in essence, provides a grass-root level of knowledge about COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2. The deep insights of the book about DRF, repurposed drugs, various treatments, and nanotechnology tools may fill the research gaps for not only the current COVID-19 management and also for the newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Information and scientific knowledge discussed in this book will pave the path for future virology researchers, medical professionals, and drug discovery scientists by assisting them with novel research ideas and approaches to combat this current pandemic and to be better prepared for future upcoming viral epidemics and pandemics. Hope the readers enjoy this book and find it beneficial.
About the editor:
Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutics at NIPER Hyderabad, India. He received a Ph.D. degree from CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, India. His research of interest includes the development of targeted drug delivery nanomedicines, including micelles, nanoparticles, & liposomes for Cancer therapy. He has bagged several accolades like the CSIR-Research Associate award, CSIR-Senior Research Fellowship award, Travel grant award, Financial Assistance, and Incentive award.
Dr. Dharmendra Kumar Khatri, currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at NIPER Hyderabad, India. He received a Ph.D. degree from ICT, Mumbai, India. His research of interest is focused on the elucidation of the pathogenic mechanism of Parkinson’s disease, and drug screening of novel molecules isolated from plant sources or synthetic congeners for their neuroprotective properties by using animal and cellular models. Among his many accolades, a few include Indian Ambassador on behalf of the International Society of Neurochemistry (2019-21), Next Generation Young Neuroscientist for Basic Science Summer School held at Osaka University Nakanoshima Center, Japan (2018).
Dr. Shashi Bala Singh, currently working as Director for the NIPER Hyderabad, India (since 2018). Previously, she held the positions of Distinguished Scientist & Director General-Life Sciences in DRDO, New Delhi (2016-2018); Director and Scientist-H in DIPAS, New Delhi (2010-2016); and Director for DIHAR, Leh (2007-2010). She was awarded with 45 prestigious national & international awards, a few include the Prof. K.N Sharma Oration Award (2021), FICCI award of excellence -Women in R&D (2019), Prof. R. C. Shukla Oration Award (2016), Prof. U.S. Srivastava Memorial Lecture Award of NASI (2015), Maj. Gen. SL Bhatia Oration Award and Prof SC Mahalanobis Memorial Oration Award (2014). And also awarded with Titanium Trophy: DIPAS award (2013), Scientist of the Year Award (2010), Titanium Trophy: DIHAR award (2009), Technology Spin-off award (2008) by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.
Anitha Sriram, currently pursuing her Ph.D. in the Department of Pharmaceutics, NIPER Hyderabad, India. She holds a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Analysis (2013) from JNTU Anantapur, India. And an additional PG degree, Master of Science in Pharmaceutics (2020), from NIPER, Hyderabad, India. Her research interests include ligand-targeted nanomedicine in oncology, combinatorial therapeutics, & crystal engineering. In recognition of her achievement in Masters (M. Pharmacy 2013), she received an "Academic Excellence Award" and a "Silver Medal" from the management of Mohan Babu University, AP, India. She is a proud recipient of the prestigious NIPER-JEE Fellowship for her Master's Degree (2018-2020) and NIPER-JEE Fellowship of JRF & SRF for her Ph.D. at NIPER Hyderabad.
Keywords
Repurposed drugs for COVID-19 therapy, Anti-inflammatory therapy, Casirivimab & imdevimab, COVID-19 Vaccines, Ronapreve/ REGEN-COV, hACE2& TMPRSS2, Immunomodulator role in COVID-19, PLGA Nanoparticles, Cytokine Storm Syndrome (CSS), RBD (Receptor Binding Domain) of SARS-CoV-2, Spike protein, CRISPR/Cas 13d, Damage Response Framework of COVID-19, Nanoviricides, COVID-19 Pathogenesis, 3D printing, Omicron variant, ARDS &ALI, Multiple Organ Failure, Nb11-59 & siRNAs
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