Amarh, EnochTisdale, James E.Overholser, Brian R.2024-10-292024-10-292023-09-01Amarh E, Tisdale JE, Overholser BR. Prolonged Exposure to Remdesivir Inhibits the Human Ether-A-Go-Go-Related Gene Potassium Current. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2023;82(3):212-220. Published 2023 Sep 1. doi:10.1097/FJC.0000000000001449https://hdl.handle.net/1805/44307Remdesivir, approved for the treatment of COVID-19, has been associated with heart-rate corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation and torsade de pointes in case reports. However, data are conflicting regarding the ability of remdesivir to inhibit the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) -related current. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects remdesivir and its primary metabolite, GS-441524, on hERG-related currents. Human embryonic kidney 293 cells stably expressing hERG were treated with various concentrations of remdesivir and GS-441524. The effects of acute and prolonged exposure on hERG-related current were assessed using whole-cell configuration of voltage-clamp protocols. Acute exposure to remdesivir and GS-441524 had no effect on hERG currents and the half-activation voltage (V 1/2 ). Prolonged treatment with 100 nM and 1 µM remdesivir significantly reduced peak tail currents and hERG current density. The propensity for remdesivir to prolong QTc intervals and induce torsade de pointes in predisposed patients warrants further investigation.en-USPublisher PolicyCOVID-19 drug treatmentEther-a-go-go potassium channelsEthersPotassiumPotassium channel blockersArticle