LSU Health New Orleans Announces Groundbreaking Research on Remdesivir’s Novel Immunological Effects

Giulia Monticone, PhD

LSU Health New Orleans is proud to announce the publication of a groundbreaking study led by Giulia Monticone PhD in the prestigious journal EMBO Reports.

The study’s publication is live at https://doi.org/10.1038/s44319-024-00189-4.

This study unveils that the antiviral effects of the COVID-19 drug remdesivir are primarily due to a novel immunological mechanism rather than direct antiviral activity.

The study details how remdesivir’s novel immunological effects are mediated by a newly described mechanism. This discovery paves the way for a new class of drugs that enhance immunity while also targeting viruses, potentially improving the effectiveness of vaccines against viruses and cancers and boosting immunity against certain cancers.

Dr. Monticone, the lead author and a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Lucio Miele’s team, collaborated with investigators from several LSUHSC departments and Dr. Kellie Jurado at the University of Pennsylvania. This research was funded by the US Department of Defense (DOD) Discovery Award (W81XWH-21-1-0078) and marks a significant advancement in immunological drug development.

Collaborative efforts with Southern Research (Birmingham, AL) are already underway to develop and optimize this new class of agents.

“We are thrilled to have our work recognized by EMBO Reports,” said Dr. Monticone. “This publication underscores our commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of immunology and drug development.”